It's still windy in Chicago. Day 2

Our day started off super early. We had our first meeting at 7 am. Yuck. After the meeting, we decided to register for the conference at the McCormick Place convention center. It's not within walking distance, so we had to take a shuttle. Luckily, this was a nice big bus. It was also reassuring that the driver was dressed in a pilot's suit. Yes, a pilot. Like a plane pilot. Anyway, he looked official and I was confident that our bus was large enough to take out several cars and/or vans, if needed. We actually had to park "under" the convention center. Molly said we were either going to the convention center or the Bat Cave. Once we registered, we decided to visit the EXPO center. That place is crazy. As we know, many teachers would stand in line to get free cardboard toliet tissue rolls. Give them a bag, cup, or pen? It's a free for all! Molly and I had a system. She'd wait in the line, I'd go to the front and see what it was they were giving away. Then, we would decide if it was worth the wait. Coffee cup? Not so much. Target bag of goodies, of course! Target rocks. They gave everyone a bag full of mini post-its, index cards, clips, shampoo, kleenex, pens, germ-x....okay...when I type all that out it doesn't seem as exciting...but it was all in a cute little red Target bag. You know how I love some cute packaging! They handed out some new products to try. I love that. They had a cool high tech classroom. Everything was controlled with an ipad. We didn't look too closely. We are pretty sure that isn't in the school's budget. Maybe we can bring back the Speak n' Spell!

The vendor area had a company there called Creative Hands. It's the company that makes those large tubs of foam cut outs. I wasn't going to take any, because I was thinking to myself, what will I do with a few sparkly flowers???.....Then she told us they were for us to BLING out our name tag. I love a good craft. Plus, they had the perfect colors to match my shoes. I didn't think ahead to coordinate shoe changes. It is what it is, I'll make it work.

The coolest thing at the convention had to be the large Jeep test track they had set up. They had about 6 different types of Jeep vehicles that you could ride though these off road courses. They had these large rocks, very steep hills, and wood bridge type things. It was wild. I now realize that those handles on the side of the door are not for holding clothes. They are to hang onto....really tightly. I honestly thought we were going to flip over at one point. I think it was my fear that made me ask the most stupid question ever: "Okay...be honest...have you ever flipped one of these on this course?" The Jeep guy answered very nicely, "If we flipped one, do you think they'd still let us do this?" Common sense sometimes skips me over.

Our trusty driver, Brian from MI

A very blurry picture going down a very steep hill.

After collecting our swag, we were going to hit the Taste of Chicago Festival. However, the weather had other plans. It finally cleared some, so we went to shop instead. A hardship, I know! We walked down to Michigan Avenue to check out all the cool stores. We even got to experience the Silver Man. If this teaching thing doesn't work out, all I need is a can of silver spray paint, a radio, pedestal, and a bucket to collect my money. I can stand very still. I'm sure of it. He did move occassionally. He had a huge crowd...and did as little as possible. Maybe he was waiting to hit a certain profit before exerting any energy. I'm sure being painted silver does have some setbacks.

I think he might move...eventually.

 Anyway, several people had said something about Filene's Basement. Ironically, Filene's Basement is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors. I did buy some sunglasses, because I left mine at home, but Filene's Basement is nothing but a TJ Maxx...with an escalator. Did I mention almost every store has one of those awkward circle doors? It's such pressure! Especially for someone who can trip over their own feet. Just saying'.

After shopping, we went to dinner at Weber Grill. Yes, like the backyard grill. I never knew there were so many uses for a grill and its parts. So, if you have a grill you aren't using, don't throw it out. It's a flower pot or door decoration just waiting to happen. You can even hear grill lids slamming in the restaurant. Molly missed a great photo op to have her picture made with the large bronze statue of Mr. Weber? (Okay...whoever the inventor of the Weber grill is) that they had grilling up some steaks. She really missed out.

We better jet, long day of meetings tomorrow.

P.S. Thanks for overlooking all the mistakes in the blog. I found many this morning, but yikes...this thing can be tricky. Correcting things on the ipad is not easy. I need a scroll down button!!