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For Mark’s birthday, July 17th, we took a few days off to hang out with his Aunt Donna and his mom at Donna’s house around the Chicago area.  We spent most of the time in and around her pool in her backyard. There are most definitely not going to be photos of that in this post (which I’m sure all will thank me for).  I ran a few miles, played with Donna’s adorable dog, Guinness, and we watched a few movies.

Did I mention that I drove the whole way?  Not trying to make Mark feel guilty — just pointing out that my leg injury from the marathon (3 years ago!) is finally at the point that I can DRIVE for a few hours at a time (namely, six).

Beautiful.  The only time we actually went into the city was to go to The Needle Shop — which is NOT a tattoo shop.  It’s actually a really amazing fabric store around Damon Ave..

[Mark drove there. I suck at real city driving.]

[my amazing finds — mostly Habitat]

On Mark’s birthday we trekked over to his favorite pizza place. We were going to see Harry Potter, but since it was the first weekend it was out the show was sold out for the rest of the foreseeable future.

Um … odd sign in Elk Grove Heights.

LOU’S.  aka the promised land of Chicago Style pizza.

Mark is pleased. It’s the first piece he’s had (besides the frozen pies his dad occasionally gets) in over a year.

I had a slice too.  And by a slice, I mean a few slices. The epic stomachache I had afterwards was so worth it.  I had the Lou’s — spinach  + tomato.  YUM.

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Last weekend I trekked back to my hometown to go to a friend’s baby shower.  I made her some adorable gifts (which I have and will be blogging about).  I was really on the fence about going because I didn’t think my finances would allow me to make another trip this month, but a freelance client ponied up a bit of cash up front so I could pay for gas. It’s pretty awesome having some great clients like that!

I didn’t take any pix of the shower … I felt weird because it was mostly family and people I didn’t know very well.  So, just in case you’re wondering, this isn’t a blog post about babies.

I decided that since I made the trip, I better hang out with my parents for a bit and make a stop or two on the way back to make it totally worth my gas money.  I wanted to get back by Sunday for sure so I could do some more crafting for Market Day, since it’s on the 26th.

My dad was mowing the lawn, so I didn’t get to spend much time with him. But he did find a little bitty froggie that my mom and I put in my niece’s bug box for her to see when she got home later.

My parents also managed to pawn off a box of VHS tapes and my SNES on me.  I recently inherited a TV with a built-in VCR, so I was interested in getting some VHS tapes. My parents were interested in cleaning out the closet of what used to be my room.

(My Girl and Miss Congeniality may or may not be mine …)

After a bit, I decided to head out and go to Iowa City to see a friend of mine from high school. I always love the drive from home to Iowa City … so pretty!

My friend works at a tattoo shop and was getting off at 8 PM. Just in time to get some drinks! I wanted to go to some of his bars, because last time I went to Iowa City I went to clubby bars, and I’m not a fan of those. Give me a dive bar. Please.

Of course, he delivered. We went to this awesome place called Deadwoods that was just my style.  I had to take pix of it to show the beau that Iowa City had some bars that he would like. (He’s a Cyclone through and through … he won’t have anything to do with Iowa City). We also went to this amazing place called The Oasis, which my friend happens to work at as well.

My friend Matthew at Deadwoods, with some Leinies. YUM!

After eating my delicious food from Oasis, I headed out for the long drive back to Ames. It was dark and I was ready to be home.

Finally, after a stop at a gas station and driving through a couple of thunderstorms, I made it home. Well, at least what we consider home sometimes: Welch Ave. Station in Ames. Mark and our friends were waiting for me (not sure if they were waiting for me … but they were excited that I showed up nonetheless).

Mark even (reluctantly) took a picture with me.

All in all, a pretty exciting day. Definitely a departure from my normal Saturday of staying home and crafting and working out.

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