Two steps away from the deepest darkest bowels of Hell

Yesterday I completed a task that I hate.

Loath.

Despise.

I made my yearly trip to the DMV to renew the sticker for my license plate. The more I think about it, the more that $10 "convenience" fee they tack on so you can do it by mail is looking better and better. I mean, isn't an hour of my life and maintaining my sanity worth at least $10?

I've never fully understood why it seems that no matter what city or state you are in, the DMV is as close to Hell as you can get without actually going there. Why can't it be a happy place? Where the people that work there act like they're human? It's like they've all been brainwashed into some drone like state. They have no emotion. No humor. And it seems that no matter how menial your purpose for being there it's a huge inconvenience to them that you're there, expecting *gasp* customer service.

I did have one other task to complete while I was there. Well, two actually. I last renewed my drivers license in 2006 and back then my hair was really really short and really really dark. Since then I've grown it out to almost shoulder length and it's relatively blonde. A few weeks ago someone asked to see my drivers license when I wrote a check and they proceeded to as me for additional ID since the picture looked nothing like me. So, for $5 I got a new drivers license. And I have to say, it's the best drivers license picture I've had for YEARS. I'm smiling (against all the evil forces at the DMV that were wearing me down hoping I couldn't) and it actually looks like me.

The other thing I did was register to be an organ and/or tissue donor. You know, years ago I thought it was disgusting and always politely refused when they asked. But, a lot of things have happened in my life where I've lost loved ones entirely too soon. And even in the tragedy of those losses their parents have decided to donate viable "parts" to those who are less fortunate. And for that amazing generosity I give those people high praise. To be able to find some good in the tragedy that occurred to our loved ones and make life for someone else possible, or even a little more enjoyable....that is the best gift of all.

So, get out there and register as an organ and/or tissue donor!

Baseball game and updates

The Cubs game was great! The weather was amazing, our seats were ok, and the beer was indeed COLD.

We did make it into The Stadium Club, the "name on the list only" place inside the ballpark where the players are fed before the games. It was so totally cool. I wish I'd taken some pictures while we were there but I didn't want to look all "this is the first and only time I'll ever have the opportunity to see this place".

After the game was over (CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!) we hit up a few of the bars in the neighborhood. Casey McGee's, The Cubby Bear, Harry Carey's - just to name a few. They were all packed with Cubs fans so it was great. What isn't great is that I went from feeling great to stumbling drunk in a short amount of time. It hit me out of no where! So, we got on the redline going the WRONG direction and ended up getting off at the next stop and grabbing a $25 cab ride back to Union Station and barely made it onto our 5:55 Amtrak back home. Thank god it's a 2 hour ride, plenty of time to sober up.

Friday morning we got a phone call at 4am that someone very close to us had passed away. My husband has had the same best friend since he was 5 years old, and his dad passed away from complications after surgery. He was an awesome man and I think Brett, our friend, said it best at the funeral. Not only was he his dad, he was also his friend and his friends' friend. And that he was. I mean, my daughter calls Brett Uncle Brett, even though there is no relation whatsoever, and his mom and dad Grandma Carol and Grandpa Merv. So, once again we were a funeral home for the 4th time in the past 8 months. I realize we're getting to that age where we'll probably experience this more and more with our parents and grandparents getting up there in age, but seriously, 4 times in less than one year?!

My daughter did indeed win the Wii that the softball league had as a prize for their fundraiser. She sold over $425 of scratch-offs and smoked her closest competition by hundreds of dollars. HUNDREDS! They called us on Saturday wanting to drop it off, but as you can see from up above - we were at Wrigley Field. So they brought it over on Monday night and we've played every night since then. We don't have any games yet other than the sports pack that comes with it - golf, bowling, boxing, baseball, tennis - but it's still so much fun! But, I have to say....I'm sore! We were talking about it at the visitation and funeral and found out the physical therapy students are now learning about how to rehab people with gaming injuries. For real!

School starts in less than 2 weeks again. I can't wait!!!!!