By Julie on 7/29/2009 5:51 PM

Sears Willis Tower

As part of my trip to Chicago I simply had to visit Sears Tower, now named the completely unmemorable Willis Tower. Those glass sky decks were calling to me.

We stood in line for a good 2 hours. We paid (in my opinion) too much for the admission fee. And just like at Disney World and other major attractions, they take your picture and try to sell it to you at the end.

The elevator was waaaay too crowded. Some little kid in the back released gas and then whispered loudly "Do you think anyone heard that?" Someone answered him back, " No, but I bet they smell it soon." If you have even a smidgen of claustrophobia, you will not do well on the elevator there.

I approached the very crowded sky decks and waited my turn to step out onto the abyss. I am not scared of heights, usually, so I wasn't too concerned. But as I stepped out onto the nothingness ... Read More »

By Julie on 7/28/2009 7:54 PM

United Airlines

I flew United Airlines back and forth to Chicago for BlogHer. I don't normally fly United but they had a great deal on tickets so I gave them a try. The flight up there was fine. On-time and all that good stuff.

Last night when we arrived at our gate prior to boarding there was a big drama unfolding. Apparently the flight that had just left the gate had departed 10 minutes earlier than scheduled. And there were 8 people left standing there that did not make the flight because they did not get to the gate before the flight left.

There were raised voices and threats of lawsuits. There were tears because one of the women was flying home to see a dying relative. Another woman was filming everything on her video camera and flinging insults and accusations at a rapid clip. An hour later the customer service managers had finally calmed them all down by issuing new tickets (first class, of course) for a flight the following morning ... Read More »

By Julie on 7/25/2009 8:52 AM

BlogHer '09 Day 2

Yesterday was completely fun but exhausting here at BlogHer. Here's a brief recap of sights viewed and highlights experienced:

• I met Rick Bayliss, the Food Network chef, during the lunch time here. That was a good thing since I am such a Food Network junkie!
• All these blogggers are so friendly and love to talk. I have met more people here than I ever imagined. The term "TMI" is unknown here.
• I stopped by the Eucerin booth in the exhibit hall. They were doing this thing where they take a picture of you and then computer age it. They aged me up to 70 years old complete with numerous wrinkles and gray hair. The object of the exercise was to let us see we really need to take care of our skin. To tell the truth, I looked awful at age 70. And wouldn't you know it, Channel 7 in Chicago happened by about the time I was having this all done and they filmed the whole thing! ... Read More »
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By Julie on 7/24/2009 7:42 AM

BlogHer '09

I am in Chicago for BlogHer '09. This is a great big group of 1400 women (and a few men) who have convened here to discuss the world of blogging. This is the first time I have spent very much time in Chicago. Yesterday we walked all around downtown and the Magnificent Mile area. I really like it here. And it is so nice to be away from the humidity of south central Texas.

My favorite discovery of yesterday was the Grand Lux Cafe on Michigan Avenue. They have a homemade gourmet-type sloppy joe sandwich that is fantastic. Seriously.

And Art & Artisans at 321 North Michigan Avenue. They have the most amazing artisan jewelry, handmade glass, and metal artwork.

By Julie on 7/21/2009 5:45 PM

New Business Cards

My new business cards printed by Moo.com arrived. Here they are:

By Julie on 7/20/2009 6:44 PM

Here's my day at a glance:

• My daughter got on the internet and found a recipe for homemade silly putty while I was on a conference call for work in my office. She proceeded to mix up various items in the kitchen and created a big mess and a crazy blue substance that strongly resembles slime. I just hope it doesn't take over like Green Slime.
• I ordered some new shoes that are supposed to be extremely comfortable and they arrived today. I have issues with shoes when I go on vacations and trips. I refuse to sacrifice style for comfort. I cannot stand walking around in sneakers all the time. Since I have a trip to Chicago this week for BlogHer, I decided to get some Read More »
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By Julie on 7/19/2009 5:15 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had no idea until a few minutes ago that today is National Ice Cream Day. Apparently back in 1984, President Ronald Reagan appointed the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day in order to fully commemorate and recognize the importance of ice cream in the lives of Americans.

Here's my ice cream brain freeze dump:

The ice cream industry generates about 20 billion dollars in annual sales in the United States.

... Read More »

By Julie on 7/17/2009 8:30 PM

Have you visited The Happiness Project at Slate? It is a blog about how to be happier and it includes life lessons, stories, and examples that are relevant to our current life. And who couldn't use a few happy ideas in their life.

Click here to go to The Happiness Project

By Julie on 7/16/2009 5:30 PM

Thoughtful Thursdays

• I finished reading Dune Road by Jane Green. I did not find the book as good as her previous ones. I haven't quite figured out what it is I did not find engaging in this book but I am thinking it over.
• I ordered some new business cards for my writing/author cards from www.Moo.com . If you have never visited their site, go there when you get a chance. They have some very unique artwork offerings for business cards, greeting cards, postcards, etc.
• I finally broke down and joined Facebook. I have resisted for quite some time now because I hear that it is so addictive. I already have enough on my plate without adding something highly addicitive to the mix. So far, it has been going well and I have not spent 24 hours a day on there.
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By Julie on 7/15/2009 10:22 AM

Here's an interesting project for your children who are home for the summer, bored out of their mind, and driving you out of your mind while they are at it. Go to the local beauty supply store and buy a few of those styrofoam heads. They usually sell for less than $ 3 each. Turn loose your child's creativity. Let them paint the heads. Dress up the heads. Whatever.

Here are my daughter's creations (scary, huh?):