Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Chicago

Last week, my boss surprised me with a trip to Chicago which included 2 tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show. Yes, Oprah. I could not believe it. When I heard her say 2 tickets and then it clicked…. I was like, oh wow, are you serious? I need at least 6 more tickets. Then as we sat and talked about who I would take with me…of course the likely candidate to go would be my daughter. I of course wanted to take everybody --sisters and girlfriends, but there was no way we could get more tickets. The tickets to Oprah are almost impossible to come by. As I thought about it I didn’t want to tell anyone I was going. You know that feeling –let’s not jinx it, because if you tell -- it might not happen. That is what I was feeling, especially since the confirmation letter from Harpo says no show is 100% guaranteed.

We arrived safely in Chicago on Thursday afternoon to very cold temperatures. We had dinner that night at Table 52. If you just happen to follow our President, then the name of the restaurant may sound familiar because this is where he and the First Lady had dinner on Valentine’s Day. Also, the hostess let us know that we were sitting in the exact same seats that the Obama’s sat in on February 14th. How nice was that. The food was excellent!
The Grouper was seasoned and cooked just right.

Crabcakes and Macaroni and Cheese with lots of cheese

Our tickets were for the Friday taping at 11:00 am and we had no idea what the show was going to be about. . Laurin’s only hope was that it not be Dr. Oz. LOL… I didn’t care who or what the show was going to be about …. I was in the audience of OPRAH. Everything was very well organized. We were not allowed to keep the camera or cell phone with us. Security checked them at the door with our coats. It was amazing to be there after watching Oprah for so many years on TV. Oprah looked like Oprah. The studio seemed really small, but it does seat 300 people. We had great seats on the 2nd row of the 2nd tier. It will be interesting to see if we make it on what gets aired. The show was on Internet Predators. It was interesting and sad but so true to hear how dangerous the computer can be for some people. John Walsh/America’s Most Wanted was one of the guests. We don’t know when the show will be aired, but the DVR is already set to tape Oprah everyday. We were there until after 3:00 but it was all worth it.
We had to wait in line with 300 other people.....


Oprah has her "O"randomly placed all around the studio....
Laurin is sitting in Oprah's chair from the 90's. They have it sitting in her store and that is the only place you can take a picture.

I was browsing in the Oprah's Store.. She has some nice things, but I had Suze Orman in my ear saying -- do you need it or do you just want it.. Thanks Suze.
After Oprah we went to Heaven on Seven for dinner. I had to go there because of the oysters.

After Heaven on Seven... guess where we went..... hahahahaha to the YARN STORE. Loopy Yarns was a really nice yarn store and they were having sit and knit night and also a SALE. Check this out they were open until 9:00 pm. I picked up a couple of skeins of the Misti Alpaca bulky yarn. I regret now that I did not get any of the Lorna Laces that was on sale. I just could not wrap my mind around buying yarn and no project in mind. NOTE TO SELF... next time take patterns with me.

Glad we went to the yarn store Friday night because we woke up to this on Saturday. SNOW.

Laurin got to visit with her friend Morgan who now lives in Chicago.

We had a great couple of days in Chicago and hopefully the next time we visit it will be a little warmer.....

26 comments:

dacg said...

Wow, what a beautiful escape to Chicago you just had. I love the pics..macaroni & cheese looks really great. Guess I'm going to have to make some for this evening.

Peace,
Darla

Anonymous said...

Great story! Looks like you two had a wonderful time. I would have blocked Susie out of my mind! LOL

cici said...

What a generous gift from you boss.♥. Thank you for my gifts from the Oprah Store♥ I have already started to make a cowl with my misty alpaca yarn...I love it! Looks like you are having a great start off for your up coming Big 50 B-Day. I don't know how you can top that. I am so glad you got to go to Seven on Heaven. I remember when we went there years ago. I would love to get back to Chicago soon♥

Lo said...

Great times in Chi-town w/my mom! I'm glad I was the LIKELY CANDIDATE!! DOn't be jealy folks.. HAha!! I heart OPRAH! Wish it was a MY FAV THINGS show, but hey can't ask for too much. Def want to go back when its MUCH WARMER!!!

DeltaPurl said...

Looks like you had a great time!

Anonymous said...

glad yall had fun!

Darcys Knotty Knitter said...

What a wonderful trip and I love Oprah how special for you:)Hugs Darcy

Soo said...

Wow!! That sounds like an amazing trip. I love Oprah. And the food looks amazing. And then yarn??!!!

Chicago looks like my idea of heaven! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow! There is an Oprah store???!?!?!? I am so excited! i just googled it and they have a website, too....www.theoprahstore.com.
What a nice trip for you and your daughter!

Iron Needles said...

How exciting it THAT! Now I am amused (but totally with you) that Suze whispers in your ear at Oprah's store, but not at the yarn store!

Of course. What am I thinking. We totally NEED yarn.

Now I am off to make mac and cheese.

Anonymous said...

WOW! I want to know who you work for and how can I get a job there. What a perq!I will set my DVR to record too.

Unknown said...

Oh, you lucky woman! Oprah and yarn and good food! I'd love to go to an Oprah show.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful vacation! Looks like you both had a great time. :)

Ria said...

that was such a great opportunity!! It looks like you really enjoyed it!

Beverly said...

What a score! You must have one of the greatest bosses in the world. You and Laurin look like you had a fantastic time.

By the way, she's sporting that Porom.

Virtuous said...

Gurl you had a BALL!! What a wonderful boss! And just a FABulous trip!! And I knew you would make it to a yarn shop! ;op

Anonymous said...

that looks like fun! i so need a vacation... and at this point i don't care where it is!

Jane said...

Wow - how lucky are you! What a wonderful time to spend with your daughter. Thanks for your comment on my blog. I also was in the KAL for the beaded shawl that you and Shelly made. I didn't get past the first 5 rows - finally gave up.
That's why I can really appreciate the gift Shelly gave me! Did you use blocking wires to block yours?
I'll have to check your older posts to find a photo of it.
Jane

dacg said...

CiCi just because you are so giving & fun (Ican see that in your blog) I want to do something special for you so here it goes:

You have won an Award..please go to my blog & see the details.

Thanks for all your help,
Darla

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a safe trip to Chi-town and a wonderful time at the O studio for the taping of a show. I would have let Suze out of my mind and buy, buy, buy!!!!

rho said...

Oh it sounds like the perfect trip - what fun - going to have to be sure to watch all my DVR'd Oprah shows (I have a tendency of playing the first few minutes and deciding if it sound great to free up some space on the DVR - I don't just to it to her but to all the daily shows I tape they build up sooo fast)

Torhild Reidardatter said...

wow!! sounds like a really niiiiice trip- dinners, yarn shops( I do not have trouble bying yarn without a project in mind.... Thats why I have this hugh stash - way toooooo much)
would love to be at a live Oprah-- like her alot.what a great time you had..
And to the headlamps- they are great and since my boyfrind doesn´t have a desent ligh for me I have to improvice---I think he is planning on buying lamps..hehehe..

Anonymous said...

Wow! Lucky you! I cannot imagine being on the Oprah set. I have never been to Chicago. What a wonderful gift of receiving those tickets. Thanks for sharing the photos. I can only wish......

Barbara deG said...

How Great! And the restaurants sound awesome. I thought Oprah gave away lots of stuff everyday but you didn't mention any goodies.
And yarn shopping - girl you just ranked high in my book of true knitters. I am in Texas and a girlfriend who lives here took me to a LYS yesterday as I said every true knitter has to to to a LYS wherever she(he) is!

Evelyn said...

Wow! What a fabulous trip! Visiting the Oprah show is one of those "big dreams' of mine. Bravo to you.

Cesia said...

How exciting!!

I am going to Chicago in April, but nothing as cool as Oprah. :)

- Cesia.