Yep, I’m going back to Chicago
As I mentioned in a previous post, I had a falling out with my parents a couple years ago. I went a stretch of 9 months that I didn’t talk to them, during which they thought it would be a good idea to move over 900 miles away from me without bothering to bring it up.
I spent so much time dwelling on that. I placed blame on myself, thinking there was something wrong with me. Thanks to three of the best people to exist though, I was able to pull out of that and be happier than I ever was.
In November 2021, I got the first phone call from them in 9 months. It appeared they were willing to rekindle a relationship with me. I was trepidatious at first, but I saw their continued efforts so I accepted it.
In September of 2022, I decided to take a trip to Idaho to see my grandmother. While we were there, we swung by and spent some time with them. They were much more warm and welcoming than I had ever remembered. I became more and more relaxed about them.
The relationship has progressed so much that we have invited them to visit during the week of my dad’s birthday, during which the Dodgers will once again be at Wrigley Field. I am also flying Jarrod out and he will be accompanying us to the game.
Mom booked an AirBnB, I bought four tickets to the game (Brandy will not be joining us) and all flights are booked.
Last night, I got a call from mom saying that she will likely not be joining us at the game either, so this will be a boys’ trip.
I’m very excited to be hosting my parents and Jarrod at the same time, and I’m excited for another trip to Chicago. This one, I’m sure, we will do a bit more than we have done on previous trips. We will be there for three days, and I’m sure dad and Jarrod will be a little more eager to sightsee than Brandy usually is.
The excitement for this upcoming trip is building, but with it is anxiety over the fact that I have a TON to do in the house before they get here- primarily finish renovating the bathroom. As of this writing, I’ve finished prepping most of the walls: primed, textured and painted what I could get to (can’t get behind the toilet yet.) Still to come, I will be removing the unused ceiling fan, removing the toilet, finishing the wall behind the toilet, putting down new flooring, installing a new toilet, hanging a new mirror, and completely refinishing the tub/shower. I also need to finish the trim in the kitchen and fix all of the gaps in the vinyl flooring that I laid down, and finally, thoroughly wash the car, inside and out.
I have three weeks to get it all done. I am confident.
In the meantime, Brandy will be heading off to Las Vegas, NV, to visit one of her properties out there. I have no desire to ever return to Vegas so I will use that time while she’s gone to get as much work done as possible.
I will be taking her to Des Moines International Airport on Sunday. I’m thinking about taking a short hike after I’ve dropped her off, or maybe exploring Des Moines a little bit, or hell, maybe both, who knows.
Stay tuned for a trip report after our return from Chicago, and if I do anything Sunday, I will put a brief post on that as well.
Until then though, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you!
-Phil