Chicago FOUR ever

Have you ever tried to wake up Three Teenagers, make 'em shower, dress and pack their suitcases, unair the air matresses, refold the folding bed, collect the towles and sheets we were allowed to use, fold those neatly in front of the washer, run vacuum cleaner, don't forget the adapters for those PHONES and all your devices (iPods, cameras, we could use if The Three Teenagers would have packed the batterie...nintendos etc.), leave the poor cats alone, get some breakfast, clean the kitchen and be ready in under FOUR hours? Well, it is actually possible.

We say goodbye to our first hosts, SHE has made lifetime teenage friends, HE learned a lot about the american way of life which I better never find out and No3 feels sorry for the cats who never get to spent whole nights outside, chase mice or do else cat-things. They either don't want to (they look quite heavy...) or just don't have the character.

We change suburb, drive from south to northern part of Chicago. We pass the estate where ME spent her first ten weeks as a mothers helper. Kids love the story, that ME gained ten pounds in ten weeks, just because ME had to try EVERYTHING ME didn't know. Such as marshmallows, cheese curls, frozen margueritas, mashed potatoes plus potato chips, PB's (Peanutter Butter and Jelly Sandwiches for those who do not know!) - the list is endless. The place in actually Barrington (there was even a movie made in 1980, about a supposedly very conservative neighbourhood, "Ordinary People" it was called, made by Robert Redford) looks the same, some more trees maybe, a different garden design yes, but the house and every other house hasn't changed. Happy memories alltogether....(the job in household duties even appeared in the local newspaper, back in 1984...).

Sorry, ME got Carrie'd away. So The Three Teenagers nod and smile politely while friend and ME shed some sentimental thoughts and tears. Just wait, 'til you guys are old enough... Driving further north, more places, more to rememeber. New house, new situation, new dogs, new neighbourhood, old friendship and old ties. Long night's talking, ME and The Three Teenagers get to sleep on another air matress and - pure luxury this time - a real american king size huge bed (see above, couldn't make that pic move down here fcs...). ME and The Three Teenagers agree on taking turns. Hard to say which bed/matress is more comfy or not for european spoiled backs. ME and The Three Teenagers will be experts by the end of this trip.