We’re Here!
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007Holy mackerel does time fly.
You can call us a lot of things, but predictable wouldn’t be one of them. The last couple months have been crazy!
We put our Chicago house on the market April 9th, and thanks to Tina Barr Chicago Realtor and some excellent ’staging’ by Dawn, we sold it in 27 days. Not bad in a market like this.
With the quick sale we had to hustle our buns to get everything packed up and ready. Since I couldn’t take much time away from work Dawn had to handle most of this, and she did, because she’s a champ.
Sadly, Oscar had to say goodbye to Anna, his nanny:
She taught him a lot of spanish and how to eat flan as part of every meal.
In the 3 weeks we had to get packed and move we also had to make time to see our friends and make our peace with the city we’ve called home for a long time. I didn’t have the opportunity to take in the sights one last time, so I went to the corner and took pictures…lol. This is a surefire way to keep from getting sentimental.
Corner of Wilson and Clark, Chicago IL
Looking south…
(currency exchanges are extremely rare in Chicago…)
The east, you see our drycleaner, good service, and they box hats (?)
Looking southeast, the liquor store. Family owned and about 5-7 ‘friends’ in the store at all times, making fun of eachother.
Looking north on Clark, nothing really here, except Carols in the distance, worlds best country bar.
Looking west, Walgreens (Dawn Hudson, Inc) and Staples (where I buy crappy HP computers)
Looking east again, I spot one of my friends from the Truc Lam Buddhist Temple, our neighbors.
Yes it’s quite an intersection, full of character(s), but you can see after a while you’d want a yard and maybe some fresh air.
So, after my little picture taking mission, it’s time to get packed up and prepare for the closing. 3 days to go and we’re on our way…wait, is something burning?
Yep, that would be the 6 flat next door…
This thing was HOT. I couldn’t even get 2 steps into the backyard. I tell you what, it’s amazing to me that the fire department got there in about 4 minutes, and ran straight upstairs into the burning unit. I’ve never been that close to a fire that big, and every human instinct tells you to turn around and go the other way. Firefighters are a different breed (in a good way, Kenny;)
Some more random pics:
Their garage started on fire too. Our chair on the deck had burn holes. Too close for comfort.
Fast service and Cub fans to boot. What more can you ask for?
Anyway, we got the hell out of town shortly thereafter. Drove the 26 footer through the streets of chicago and straight on up to rest stop number 1, Chippewa Falls. Great Grandpa Dundore was waiting…
The next day we closed and moved into our new digs. Immediately upon arrival we acquired new bikes (my number one priority), and Oscar got his first helmet, which he put on before we could take off the plastic visor…
I’ve probably watched that one a hundred times…
After getting the helmet off, Oscar got a hold of aunt Denise’s cell phone for some cool ringer sounds…
Oscar’s happy, and so are Mom and Dad.
We made a day trip to Taylors Falls, on the St. Croix river:
Then Grandpa and Grandma Taylor (no relation to Taylors Falls) took Oscar to our mini waterfall in the city, called Minnehaha Falls. Oscar thought it was too loud:
Then Grandma took him to the lake to chase ducks:
The next weekend we went to Chippewa on a scouting mission for the 4th of July. Oscar drove his first boat, and then proceeded to completely deprogram the fish finder.
So, we’ve got plenty to keep us occupied, and we’re looking forward to seeing some of you in Chippewa in a week or so.
To our Chicago friends, keep in touch! We’re not that far away if you want to get up north for a holiday!