Weekends, renewal and schizophrenic weather

It's 3:30 on a Friday afternoon. A dear friend calls to ask if you have any plans for the evening. No, you say, because ... well, you have no plans. And the next thing you know, you're headed to Michigan.

Shakespeare was celebrating full-time permanent status at her job. I was celebrating the spirit of spontaneity. Off we went, past the Schaumburg plow barn (won't be needing you tonight, boys!) and through the traffic, into the place Tim Allen taunts me with on a regular basis.

First stop: the Oasis. No, I don't remember which one, but it's the one that used to have a photo booth; it doesn't anymore, so we made our own.

Me and Shakespeare in the loo.

She claimed to be the Queen of Toilet Town.

We gave a cheer crossing into Indiana, and again when we crossed into Michigan. Soon we would be at our destination - Camp Sokol, the Bohemian beach club where Shakes goes every summer. Completely deserted on this April night, it was peaceful and perfect.

The inimitable Jessica Keith, aka Shakespeare,
with the Lake Michigan sunset in the background.


Me, in the same spot. This is how I picture myself when I picture myself.
Do I actually look like this, or do I look more like the yucky pictures I usually see of me?


The sunset. So intensely beautiful, it made me nostalgic
for family time on a private beach just north of here. I miss you guys!


Shakespeare shows off her fire-building survival skills.

I did gather some of the wood, but mostly

I was the relaxing half of the dynamic duo.

The rustling in the grasses creeped us out
until the firelight showed a trio of cats
and not a leprechaun axe murderer.
It was a little disconcerting how much this one
looked like my dead cat, Josie Lou.
Except this one was alive.
Other than that, she was a dead ringer.
Or a live ringer. Or whatever.

Simply put, we had a wonderful time. Although during the day it was very warm, the evening was very cold, but the fire was warm and the company was awesome. Sometimes ya just gotta give in to the spontaneity. Ya gotta go with the flow, feel the wanderlust and walk in the cold sand on a chilly April night. Because I'd rather huddle by the fire until midnight than wonder if it would've been fun from the warmth of my apartment.

Saturday brought baby hugs and squishes - I'm in love with Isabel Rose! (A rose, Izzy Rose, Izzy Rose!) My picture came out pretty blurry, but Matt took one so maybe I'm cute in it. Suffice to say that she has a perfect nose and yawns like a champ. Spent a bit of time driving around and enjoying the weather, visiting friends and shopping for groceries before a relaxing night at home. There's something about lounging around with the windows open and good music playing that just feels luxurious. Add to that the flavor of good bread, delicious cheese, fresh fruit and dark heavenly chocolate and you have a near-perfect night.

Fell asleep with the windows open so I woke up f-f-freezing! I can't manage in this ever-changing weather. It was 70 on Saturday, and about 40 yesterday. Don't even get me started about today. I'm moving somewhere warm.