I haven't posted in a while. I go in cycles sometimes where I just don't feel like writing. I think I'm back.

My birthday was a week ago yesterday. Sheri and I took the day off work and took the morning express train into Chicago. From Union Station we took the 28 express bus to The Museum of Science and Industry to see the Body Worlds exhibit. Outstanding!

Mom and Dad took the Amtrak in Friday morning. The plan was that we were going to meet them at Union Station and then proceed to the Museum together, but there was trouble on the line (that's for you Shawn!) and they were two hours late getting in. We purchased the tickets on-line and you have to specify a time for the movie and the Body Worlds exhibit. As it was approaching the time for us to enter the movie Mom and Dad were still at least an hour away from being at the Museum, so I got the bright idea to change their ticket times before they got sold out and then leave the tickets at will call. That worked out good.

We finally met up with Mom and Dad after they had seen the movie and started the Body Worlds exhibit. We told them we would meet them in the cafeteria. We were getting tired and a little hungry.

Sheri and I split a surprisingly good sandwich and a bag of chips. I got a Diet Pepsi from a machine. We sat there for a while just relaxing and watching people. My back was bothering me so I didn't mind just sitting.

Mom and Dad found us after about an hour. They got a sandwich per our recommendation and a salad. We sat there for a while catching up on things. When they were done eating we did a very quick walk-around of the rest of the Museum. The coal mine and the German sub exhibits were both closed for remodeling. Crap!

When we were done the four of us caught the bus back to Union Station. I decided that for my birthday dinner I wanted hot dogs and French fries from Gold Coast Hot Dog in Union Station. Portillo's Chicago dogs are good, but Gold Coast dogs are even better. Also, I don't normally get French fries any more, but there are very few fries as good as theirs so I splurged. Besides, it was my birthday.

The plan was to get back home and go to our favorite coffee shop for coffee and a birthday cookie, but on the way home I realized that we were all too tired for that, so we just went home.

I opened up birthday gifts on the couch and then we all went to bed relatively early.

Saturday morning I made a soy protein drink for Dad and I because he was curious to try one. He liked it.

Then we went to the Bobak's. We ended up eating at their inside café for breakfast. We got two Polish sausages baked inside bread dough. Sound strange for breakfast, but everyone really liked them.

We walked around the store for a little bit and then we drove by the Ikea that is being build near our home.

Then we went to Trader Joes. Dad got some soy protein powder. He got the smaller tub than I get and from what I hear he has almost already finished it!

After that we took them to our downtown to stroll around. We took them to Penzey's to get some good spices.

Then we went to our favorite coffee house and relaxed with some cappuccinos. It think it was the first real cappuccino they had (as opposed to the gas station cappuccinos) and they both appeared to enjoy them.

At this point it was probably about 4 PM and we were all getting hungry, so we took them to Joy Yee, our favorite local Asian restaurant. We started with an appetizer of cold Japanese seaweed salad. Then we split an order of Thai red curry chicken and an order of chicken phad Thai. Their portions are HUGE and the appetizer and the two entrees were more than enough. Everyone left full.

We went home and watched Spanglish. It was good.

Sunday morning Sheri had to be at work at 6 AM, so the three of us were on our own for the day. We ended up having breakfast at White Castle (Don't laugh. Their toast-egg-cheese-on-toast sandwiches use fresh eggs and are really good.) and then spending most of the afternoon in the backyard and hanging mini-blinds over the two windows in the garage. We also bought a packet of seeds to grow giant sun flowers and planted those in the back yard.

Around 4 PM it was time to take Mom and Dad to the Metra station. We stopped on the way so they could pick up a couple of sandwiches at Jimmy Johns for the Amtrak ride home. I think from now on every time they visit we will have to take them to Jimmy Johns. Their vegi sub is that good. They love 'em.

Sheri called about the time we got to the Metra station. She was half way home from work and wanted to let us know she was trying to get to the station before their train came so she could say good bye. She made it.

The took the Metra into Chicago, had a couple more hot dogs from Gold Coast, and then took the Amtrak back home. I think they said they didn't get home until like 1 AM.

All in all it was a nice birthday.