Prom 2010

My baby boy is growing up so fast.

Last night was his junior prom. Fortunately he had a really good time, but it almost was an absolute disaster.

During his choir trip to Chicago, he and another girl became friends - only friends but such that he asked her a few weeks later to go to prom with him. He had this really elaborate plan with which to ask her - so it was a good thing she said "yes".

At least I thought so at the time.

This past week, right before prom, his date backed out on him. She claimed to have gone with a friend the year before - only as friends - and that it had turned out rather disastrous. Her excuse was that she didn't want to repeat the same mistake. Personally, I think someone else asked her and she really wanted to go with him.

Only problem - she'd already said yes. Plus we're talking my son, who is not some whack-job waiting to get a girl alone on prom night. At least that isn't the way he was raised. My son and I were up Friday night until almost midnight talking about it all. But he was going to go ahead and go and walk the red carpet alone.

I went to bed Friday night completely broken hearted. You can mess with me all day long, but you mess with my son and I will NOT be held responsible for the ire your stupidity raises. I learned a long time ago that there is a raging momma bear inside me and would probably be capable of murder if you mess with my cub.

Or at least a severe roughing up and dressing down. Hopefully neither you nor I will ever have to find out.

Saturday morning he seemed better, but I stewed all day. Talked to a dear friend of mine later in the day about the situation. Her daughter graduated from the same high school a couple of years before and attends a local college. She piped up that she'd go with him if he wanted. That was the needed lift to my son's ego. What high school junior wouldn't love to escort an "older" woman to his high school prom?

I think I was even more excited for him than he was. Needless to say, he created a bit of a fuss with a hot (but so sweet) woman on his arm last night. Several people remembered her from a few years before and couldn't believe that she was with my son.

Right now I'm so proud of both of them - she for giving up an evening for a wounded young man, and he for accepting the offered olive leaf of friendship that was the salve he needed at just the right time.

Needless to say he had a crowd of guys talking to him at church today. Imagine there may be a few more come Monday morning.

How he handles the accolades will go a long way in teaching him what it means to be a true gentleman.

I'm Baaack!

Look out - I'm baaaack!

Chicago was wet and rainy with the last remnants of Gustav hanging over our heads. Well we were there to work anyway, but I was dying for some good 'ol Chicago deep-dish pizza. After the last morning session, the rain stopped long enough for us to walk to Giordano's a couple of blocks away for an early lunch. Ah, patience does have a purpose.

The pizza was magnifique! We had a sausage, pepperoni, and onion deep-dish stuffed pizza. The cheese was oozing out with every bite. It was SO worth the wait.

We stayed at the Hyatt on Wacker Street along the downtown riverwalk project. I had a great view from my fourteenth floor window. Saw the torrent of rain splashing in the water from on high. It sure would have been nice to have walked during the afternoons when the exhibit hall was closed. Alas, it will have to wait for another time.

Our driver, Mark, had so much fun telling us all about the movies shot in Chicago, about how the scene in "The Dark Knight" where the semi rig was driving down the road was shot just down the street from our hotel at 3:00 am. The CTA trains reminded me of "While You Were Sleeping" and then of course "The Lake House" was shot there as well. Had no idea so many modern movies were placed in Chicago. I think Mark was proud of the fact.

I'm dying to read up on some of the history of the buildings in downtown Chicago, specifically the clock tower building across the street from our hotel. It has a very gothic feel to it. Mark mentioned that some of the architecture reminds him of some beautiful buildings in Jerusalem. My mother would love it!

Maybe I can go back someday - NOT in September though.

Chicago Frolicking

My dear friends and family - I will be out of commission the remainder of the week. Chicago frolicking is calling.

Nah, more like I gotta work early mornings and late nights. I'm attending and displaying for my company at the annual SBDC conference. It's always great to see old friends and make new ones, but it sure gets crazy. Usually by the end of the conference I'm hoarse and can hardly see straight from talking to over a thousand participants.

Really is alot of fun though, because I love interacting with people. Just wish things were going better on the home front, but we'll see where all of that leads.

My mom is coming up to care for my son until my return. Then it is a weekend of Christmas shopping. Yes, my sisters hate me. September is actually very late for me to start my shopping.

Well truth be told I started shopping in June when we went to the Hotel del Coronado. Heck, last year I started my Christmas shopping in January. Bought my son a leather coat at the big inventory clearance sales.

So maybe I'll find some time to check out some stores in Chicago. More likely I'll check out the food.

Have a great week, and as Arnold says it - "I'll be back!"