Day 167

We are moving a week from today. Do you believe it because I know I don't. Leah is now home with me as her last day of work was on Friday and she is packing while I am working. I woke up in the middle of the night with an awful sore throat, different than the one I normally get. I knew I should have kept my mouth shut and not jinxed myself when I was telling Wendy on Saturday at our brunch that since I became addicted to the Airborne cold prevention dissovable, I haven't been sick. I am going to the doctor around 1 today as I want to curb this as soon as possible if I can. I've got too much this week to let this linger.

We had a pretty solid weekend. Friday night Leah, Mark P, and I did one last Deep Dish Pizza stop at Gino's East and ate outside since it was such a beautiful night. We came home and went through our second bedroom closet and drawers. We came across some of the funniest letters and cards. Leah found letters from old boyfriends and her parents when she first got to college. I found a whole folder of letters Leah had written to me during the summer and semester we were apart in 1995. They were hysterical. I also found a letter she wrote to me when we were in on a "break in March of 95" where she was being so bitchy to me. It was classic because she said "sometimes I think this is the real thing, and other times I think I'm just another girl you have latched on to. I am not trying to be rude." hahahaha. All I know is that you should compare that to the letters she was writing me a short two months later. I must have been doing something right over that time period.

Saturday Jessica and Justin threw us a big brunch at their apartment with the Rosenstein family. I have to admit, I was very impressed by the presntation and taset of all of the food. Jessica made a baked French Toast that was the whup. We had bagels, chicken sausages, fruit, and pastries. It was great eating. Leah and I then did one last downtown shopping excursion. Most of you know I am not crazy about shopping, but we gave it one last shot at the Bloomingdales building and Urban Oufitters. We got home around 3:30 and Leah took a nap while I waited for MD to arrive. We watched a little Tribe ball at 6 before meeting Dave, Sara, and their puppy at Four Moon Tavern - old reliable - one last time. We ate outside and brought Casey with. Of all the dishes in this town, I will miss that Chicken Gyro pita about as much as anything. I must have had one a week for the last year and a half. Its all about the Hummus instead of the fries. Anyways, we came back home, changed clothes and headed to the Gramercy for the going away party.

The party was a lot of fun. I have to send out mad love to all of those who came to show the support to Leah and I. Special mention to our friends Michael and Michele, and Chari and E for coming all the way from the burbs. What is funny is that our buddy KC and his wife just moved here from New York and this was the first time they have been out in the city. Their crew called this night the "changing of the guard" as Leah and I are moving out and KC and Stacy are in. The night started for me with a little anxiety. I just anticipated being real sad and was nervous for some reason. That all went away with my first two glasses of vodka. Anyways, the strong players once again came up big. Mark P, Sean, Gregg, and Dave. I know I can always count on those four to deliver. Sheri and Sara too. They are always rock solid. I can honestly say I haven't seen MD have that much fun in years. He blended right in with the crew and was going drink for drink all night. I can't believe how many shots of Whiskey we were all doing. All of a sudden, Jameson is in and Jaegerbombs are out. We were at the Gramercy probably until 1 and then moved next door to Lincoln Station until 2, where we lost Sara, Sheri, and Leah. That is where the real fun began. We walked down a few block to a late night eatery, Lincoln Town Gyros, home of Mark P's favorite Pizza Puff. I don't even remember what happened, but the next thing I know MD was behind the counter clowning it up with the two cooks. It was a great night. It was the perfect send off. I had my good friends, lots of drinks, and I laughed a ton. I also have to thank Jessica for taking so many good photos.

Sunday was spent hung over for the most part. We had brunch with MD and Ags at the Grocer one last time, then came home and had a showing at 2. We napped for a while and took Casey for a walk and then to the back parking lot for some fetch before watching Entourage and going to sleep.

So that brings up to Monday. One week left. Still a lot of packing to do and a lot of meals planned for this week with our friends. The last week in the greatest city in America. Its's gonna be fun, but sad.

Days Left in Chicago: 7
Song of the Day: "Looking Back" by Lauren Hill