Car Milestones

 We alluded to car news a few weeks ago. Cora was driving when the Vibe's head gasket blew on her while she was on her way to Burbank in August, so we had to say goodbye to our dear car.

In the weeks since, I was looking online a LOT and in touch with several sellers. Stace and I got home from Chicago on Tuesday, and he took Wednesday off because we'd planned to meet with the owner of a 2015 Honda Accord coupe. But, that owner sold the car hours before we planned to meet. 

Thankfully, I saw a new listing on Facebook Marketplace, for a 2013 Honda Civic coupe, only 30 minutes away.

The owner was able to see us that day, so the three of us met with him. Cora test drove it, and loved it. We agreed on a price, and made the deal!

The car is so clean inside, and the bodywork is in great shape. There are a few scratches to tidy up, but overall, it's a sweet-looking car. Only 63,000 miles on it, and it's 11 years old! It also has a backup camera, which is great, and a CD player, which I still appreciate. Cora is paying for half, and her name is on the title. It's hers, and we pray it serves her well for many years.

Backing up a few weeks, Cora noticed the engine lights all come on and smoke coming up from the hood, while she was in the fast lane on the 5 freeway. She carefully made her way over to the side of the road and called us. We told her how to call the Auto Club and order a tow.

We were in the car, on our way home from church, so we just got on the freeway ourselves and joined her, while waiting for the tow truck.

Here, we're following the tow truck and the Vibe, as we neared our mechanic. 

Adam, our trusty mechanic, let us know on Monday morning about the head gasket. We were grateful that one of his employees was willing to buy the car, in hopes of fixing it.

It was reliable until the end, though it was definitely showing its age. The paint was in terrible condition, and there were pockmarks all over the hood. Thankfully, Cora was just grateful to have a car to drive, although her new one is a HUGE step up.

Still, we were very sad to say goodbye! We bought this car in May 2006, when it was one year old, and put about 125,000 miles on its Toyota engine in 20 years.

I was just barely expecting Cora when we bought it. We brought her home from the hospital in it. And, 18 years later, she drove it to school once she got her license. 

Thanks, Vicki! We appreciate your long years of service.

Chicago: Day 6

The building on the left was our home away from home for our three nights together in Oak Park, where we rented a perfect little studio apartment.
The building featured a locked lobby and this gorgeous sitting room, with piano, wood-paneled walls and bookcase with lots of old books. 

Oak Park has a fantastic downtown, with beautiful architecture and private businesses. The neighborhood is very walkable, with lots of lovely old homes.

This church was used in the Home Alone film for the exterior shots of the church scene, when young Kevin talks to the old man who's estranged from his family.

This WWI memorial is in the park, where we happened to be for the annual cicada (insect) noisy time of year.

On Tuesday, we packed up and left our studio, met Elizabeth for a final brunch, and then caught a Lyft ride to the airport.

We somehow happened to be sitting in the premium class on one of our two flights. When the flight attendant asked if we wanted drinks, Stace jokingly asked for a cocktail. Little did we know, we actually were able to get a free drink! I chose wine. 

Our flights were uneventful, and we had our two favorite girls awaiting us at Burbank to pick us up. 

Until next time, Elizabeth, and Chicago!

Chicago: Day 5

 We woke up Monday to a warm, drizzly day, and no umbrellas or raingear. Thankfully, not too long after we set off, the rain died down, and it was definitely better in the city. Stace and I walked to Oak Park's transit stop and took one more trip into Chicago.

We started out at Mr. Beef, made famous in a show called The Bear, that my sister loves. It was a little early for a beef sandwich, and the location was out of merch, so we settled for a photo opp and moved on.  

Just Chicago scenes...

the theatre district, I believe.

As we wandered around, we came across the gorgeous Chicago Cultural Center. Why don't we build buildings of beauty any more?

This is the 1892 Macy's building, formerly Marshall Field's department store, which is now a National Historic Landmark. The 6,000 square foot mosaic ceiling was created from 1.6 million pieces of glass, which took over two years to install, under the supervision of Louis Comfort Tiffany himself. Yes, the man for whom Tiffany lamps are named!

An underground tunnel off of the Macy's basement featured a museum-type collection of Victorian-era secular stained glass (windows not created for churches). There were many lovely pieces, so I took photos for Violet.

We also took another look at the Chicago Tribune building, another famous landmark. This one has cool stones from all over the world embedded in the outer walls - including one from the Great Pyramid of Giza, St. Peter's Basilica, the White House, and the Great Wall of China, 

We had one more close look at the Chicago River, before heading back to the train to get back to Oak Park. We had a very special 8-year-old who we needed to help pick up from school!

We then got a very Chicago dinner, so I could complete the list of culinary must-dos in the city.

That famous beef sandwich, and a Chicago dog. And yes, the fries were delicious, too!

Stace helped Elizabeth and Emma with some little projects, and then it was time to walk back to our little studio a few blocks away.

Chicago: Day 4

 On Sunday, Stace and I got tickets to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright house and museum, which happens to be a couple of blocks away from the Airbnb we stayed at, and Elizabeth's home. For those who don't know, Wright is one of the most well known and highly regarded American architects, who designed homes and buildings all over the world, and also several in the L.A. area, in the early 20th century. 

Our tour guide was very informative; here, she's telling us about the quotes he had inscribed above the fireplace in his Oak Park home.

Cool stained glass ceiling in this study room

Another cool ceiling, in the work room of the studio, which was attached to the house.

This was a playroom for the Wright children, with more beautiful windows and window seats.

After our tour, we walked to Elizabeth's, had lunch, and drove into Wrigleyville. We had a date with the Cubs!

Historic Wrigley Field.

Built in 1914, before the U.S. entered the First World War. How many generations of fans have walked through these storied gates? I felt that history!

We got in early enough to collect free bobbleheads commemorating legendary Cubs announcer Harry Caray. It was rainy, so we weren't positive there'd be a game - see the tarp on the infield behind us? But thankfully it stopped raining and we got to enjoy a game. 

The Cincinnati Reds beat the home team, and hit a few home runs in the process. Lucky for me, they were caught by fans who threw them back onto the field - that's a Cubs tradition I was happy to witness in person.

After the game, we hit up Jeni's Ice Cream, and had a really special handcrafted treat. 

Chicago: Day 3

 Stace and I woke up in our hotel Saturday, where we enjoyed breakfast but realized we had no hot water to shower. So, we packed up and went to Elizabeth's, and showered there. We then drove together to the airport in our rental car to drop it off, since Oak Park and Chicago have such great public transit. 

From the airport, we took that transit into the city, where we went on an architecture cruise of the Chicago River. Elizabeth has lived in the area long enough to have a great itinerary of highlights for visitors, so she booked a boat that included a trip through the locks, out on to Lake Michigan.

The city really is beautiful. And we had great weather - warm but not too hot or muggy.

Our tour guide was entertaining, with stories about Chicago's history and the various buildings. Nice skyline from the lake, which is big enough to feel like the sea.

So fun having a weekend away with this guy! We are considering it an anniversary trip, since we're about a week away from our 23rd. 

After, we headed to Millennium Park to see the famous Bean sculpture.

A House music festival was happening, so the place was extra packed. Fun fact: house music originated in Chicago.

Elizabeth then made sure we spent some time in the 136-year-old Chicago Athletic Association, the middle building here. We loved the cool vibe inside, especially in the game room, dimly lit with billiards tables and dark wood.

We wanted to get a bite to eat from one of the standout pizza restaurants, but the line at the one near us stretched around the block on this summer Saturday evening. So, we instead took the train back to Oak Park and got a late night pizza at a different famous, beloved chain, with no line. What a great day!

Chicago: Day 2

 On Friday, Stace woke up in Rockford, and attended a culmination event for his young engineer who finished a summer leadership program.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and I hopped on the fabulous public transport system - walkable from her home - and went into the city. Our main goal was to see all the highlights of the Art Institute of Chicago, a worldclass collection of art and antiquities. We had a lovely few hours, and I saw just about everything I could have hoped to.  

Among the antiquities was this gorgeous Roman-era glass vessel that somehow has survived 2,000 years!

This was a huge 5th century Syrian mosaic of a man leading a giraffe as a gift for the emperor.

There were loads of Impressionist paintings, including a Monet section.

I loved seeing this one, as it's featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, when Cameron gets lost in the tiny dots that make up this (huge) piece.

This stunning stained glass Hartwell Memorial Window  was created in 1917 and once was in a church in Providence, Rhode Island.

More stained glass - America Windows was gifted to the Art Institute in 1977 by Marc Chagall, to commemorate the country's Bicentennial.

Byzantine communion serving tray and chalice, from the 6th century.

I loved this Byzantine necklace - the style would still be beautiful on an elegant woman's neck today.

I also loved this one - Paris Street Rainy Day was painted in 1877, the era of photography. Inspired by photographs, the two main figures look like they could be walking straight out of the frame. I took so many more photos of favorites, but this will have to do. 

Stace then picked us up outside, and we went to an Italian restaurant that is a favorite of Elizabeth's. It was fabulous - great food, great vibe. A small wedding reception was happening outside.

We then drove back to Oak Park, dropped off Elizabeth, and stayed in a hotel nearby.

Seen from the train in the morning - Cicero! Cora's been in two plays that features the word prominently - Chicago the musical, and the Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.