Chris Berman, a football analyst on ESPN, often says, "That's why they play the game". Meaning you can analyze and predict all you want on paper, but the only thing that really counts is what happens on the field. This weekend I had a plan--and let me tell you--it looked real good on paper, but then, well...we had to play the game.

The Plan on Paper: Jamie and I were going to Chicago for the day to join up with my co-workers at Anna Worner and Associates for a holiday gathering. We were having lunch at a nice steak house and then taking in some of the city (big cities are the best during the holidays). All the prep work had been done. Abby was watching the girls for the day--they were excited. My mom had bought me a new red sweater--I was excited. I had a holiday hospitality gift in a cute gift bag for my boss-which she may or may not have been excited about.

Game Day: Everything played out as it should at first...Abby came, I woke up early and sprunched my hair, we got to the airport, got some breakfast, boarded the plane- no problem. I started to feel a little queasy on the flight, but figured it was from the lack of sleep, so I just closed my eyes to get a little rest before we landed. Upon arrival at O'Hare, my stomach was still feeling pretty uneasy, so I made a quick stop in the restroom and hoped that would take care of it. As scheduled, a white stretch limo picked Jamie and I up, we stopped to pick up our friend Woody's wife at their hotel and then we were on our way to Anna's house. I was trying to have a conversation with Bethany, catching up on the kids and such, but suddenly I just did not feel well at all. We were about a block away from Anna's house-I laid down on the seat and told Jamie I thought I was going to throw up. I asked if he had a bag. He did not. I saw a bag of plastic cups and told him to dump the cups and give me that. He did. I vomited in the bag. Catastrophe avoided... except the bag had a hole in it. So its contents were now sliding down the leather seat that we were sitting on. I panicked and quickly grabbed my coat and put it on the seat to stop it from rushing right into Jamie and I. I had to vomit again. I saw my lovely gift. I dumped out the holiday candle and Christmas CD and vomited in the gift bag. We arrived at Anna's house. Now since we all work remotely out of our homes, I have only met her once for like 5 minutes or so when I first started working for her and she had never met Jamie. I exited the limo. There was vomit all over my lovely red sweater and in my lovely sprunched hair. The limo driver at least gave me some gum. Sweet Jamie cleaned out the back of the limo and was holding the gift bag of vomit in his hands. Not wanting that to be Anna's first impression of him he spotted her garbage can in the back and went to deposit the gift bag there. Funny thing, though, they were meeting in the back of the house and saw him rummaging through her garbage cans. Woody came out and Jamie told them the story. I entered the house-vomit and all. Anna was so gracious to let me take a shower and give me a toothbrush. I had an extra sweater for a picture we were going to take, so I put that on and then laid down in her family room while they had their meeting. Because I was feeling a little better, they changed the lunch reservation to the same restaurant, but in the suburbs, so I would have some more time to rest. The steak house was amazing. Everyone else enjoyed their filet mignons and fancy salads and soups, while I ate a plain chicken breast (very good, but plain) and some mashed potatoes. I think the waiter apologized to me when he served it. Anyway, we had a nice lunch and I was feeling a million times better, but a little worried, so I watched them enjoy chocolate espresso cake and cheesecake with fresh strawberries (my favorite). Instead of spending time downtown, we hit the mall in suburbia and then headed to the airport and headed home.
Oh, that I were exaggerating, but I am not exaggerating one detail...ask Jamie.

A special thanks to Anna, Woody, Bethany and Sarah for being sooooo understanding and accomodating. I am so very, very sorry. I am lucky to work with such great people! And a huge thank you to my amazing husband who continues to find new ways to show his love for me.