Thanksgiving

This weekend will be a jewel in my crown for some time.  My heart is swelling with joy and gratitude for my family and specifically my daughter Joan who paid us a visit.  Because Todd and I live in a place that our children have never lived, they do not have close friends that they can visit and socialize with when they come to see us.  Hence, we feel it is important to plan things to see and do to help entertain them.  Although Todd and I are enough reason to visit, we like to sweeten the trip just a bit.

For this visit with Joan, we started by driving over 700 miles to eat Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant that is located in the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters in northern Wisconsin.  This is the location of the shoot out with Dillinger, Baby Face Nielson, and gang with the FBI in 1934.  The restaurant has never replaced the windows shattered during the fight.  Rather, they placed glass on both sides so that the original windows could be maintained.   There are several bullet holes and shattered pains of glass between Joan and me. 

Friday morning after sleeping in, Joan and I hit State Street in Chicago to go shopping.  We had a great time.  We had a surprise 50% off coupon at Sears.  That was fun.

That evening, Todd planned and took us to a dinner show at Tommy Gun's Garage.  This was a continuation of the gangster theme from yesterday.  We had a great time, fun family entertainment.

Saturday morning, Todd and I had the privilege of accompanying Joan to her first temple visit.  What an incredible experience it was to share these times with Joan.  We are so proud that she has accepted a call to serve her God as a missionary in Phoenix, Arizona!  Be aware Spanish speakers, Sister Pickett is on her way!

To end the visit, we attended Les Miserables that evening. Yes, we had fairly high seats but they were not the last row.  (Does anyone remember the nose bleed seats for CATS in Madrid?)  The music was very well done and inspiring.  It was a great way to end a wonderful weekend.  I am so looking forward to Christmas!

A Little Change is Good

Last week I changed my living room furniture around.  I moved the piano where my bookshelves had been and placed my coach where my piano had been.  It really opened up my apartment!  It feels much more inviting.  I like it!