April 29, 2001: Grand Rapids to Chicago-Move #2

We left early to try and get a big van from the Kent County airport, but they didn't have one.    So, we went to the U-haul in Grand Rapids and had to wait 30 minutes for them to open.    When they opened, they said they couldn't rent out any vehicles until they saw what vehicles were dropped off the day before.   By then, I was panicking.   We went up to the clerk and he said he had one 17 ft truck left.  I was so relieved.   He gave us a 20% discount. It required a $400 security deposit, in which part of it would be reimbursed when I returned the vehicle.  

Jim drove the U-haul back to Chicago.  I called Glenn and he came to help us move the furniture.  Both Jim and Glenn were blessings for me with this move.    Glenn Brien was leaving IRI in 2 weeks.  He would be working at a company in Bedford Park.    Glenn helped me with all of my moves around Chicago.   

Everything was packed onto the truck.   We got back to Muskegon around 10 p.m. and unpacked.   Jim drove the U-haul back to Grand Rapids and I drove his car there.   It was truly a blessing to have such wonderful friends who helped me out.   

April 28, 2001: Move from hell back to Michigan

Woke up early to pack for my move back to Michigan.  Jim Morse came to help with the move.   We waited all day for the U-haul.   They were supposed to call last night with a confirmation time.   They kept saying they had no trucks.   I told them I had made a reservation over a month ago and put an $80 security deposit down.   So, we packed up what we could in Jim's car.  Then, we dropped off my apartment keys and went to the bagel shop.  When we got home, I called the customer service and was put on hold for 45 minutes.   At this point, I was getting very pissed off.   I asked if I could get a truck at a different location and called some other places in Chicago and the suburbs, but nothing was available.  

Jim had parked his car in the alley behind my apartment while we packed. When he went down to check on it, it was gone.   I just couldn't believe this was happening to us.   I started to cry as I had no idea how I was going to get all of my stuff moved home, not to mention, we had to find where Jim's car had disappeared to.  

We called the police department to find out where the car could be.   She asked several questions as to whether the car payments had been made, vehicle ID#, etc.   She checked with Central Towing, but they hadn't found it.  

So, we walked outside to a flower shop around the corner.  A nice Asian man tried to help us find a sign with the name of the towing company.   We found the name and took a cab down to Clark and Montrose streets.

The guy behind the bars at the tow company was mean looking.   The guy in front of us was yelling at him and saying he better not have damaged his car.  It cost us $105 to get it out.   We decided to drive back to Michigan with what we had packed in his car.    

Jim stayed at our house on Lawnel, so we could leave early Sunday morning to get a U-haul here in Michigan and drive it back to Chicago.

April 27, 2001: Ghetto Burgers/Last Day at IRI

Today was Ashley Arnouts's 8th birthday and my last day of working at Information Resources, located at 150 N. Clinton in Chicago, IL.  It was sad to leave the friends I met in Chicago.  

For lunch, Jamie Nailer and Crystal Cooper took me to a ghetto burger place on the west side.   This was one of the greasiest cheeseburgers I've ever had.   Plus, they stuffed greasy french fries in with the burger.  I was the only white girl in line.   You had to order your food through a bullet proof window.   If that ain't ghetto, I don't know what that is.

Crystal and I ate our food in the lunchroom with Dave Alvarez.  He had been married for 5 years to a girl he met in college.   He called his wife, his 'girl'.   His birthday was May 4th.    He said he spent 3 hours cleaning his Nissan Altima last night, as he had a bad day.   Frank Nykie said I was lucky to be leaving IRI.  

Everyone hugged me on my way out, such as Ron Hill, Crystal, and Julia.  

It was a sunny day when I walked out the door.  I was happy, but also sad.   I waited for the bus at Lasalle and Clark.    I still couldn't believe I was moving back to Michigan.   

April 26, 2001: Farewell Luncheon with Co-workers at Information Resources

Today, I was starting to realize how much I would miss my co-workers at Information Resources.   It was a beautiful, sunny day.   Lilly Dunson, Crystal Cooper, Jeanette Walls, Don Labonte, Yolanda Thomas, Wayne Onak, Ceylon Hayes, Darren Hobson, Darlene Harris, Rachel Reyes, Barb Hamlin, and Ian Stevens came to the luncheon.   My director, Julia Devine, and supervisor, Alison Basista were not able to make it due to a training they had to attend.   Ron Hill and Dave Alvarez had basketball, so couldn't come.  Josh Bulak was sick and had to go to the doctor office, so he also couldn't attend.  

It was wonderful to see so many there. It was a great way to leave Information Resources.

Julia Devine told me about an actress she met at her work after college.   They were still friends to this day.   Her friend's name was Brenda Epperson.  She used to play Ashley on the "Young and the Restless".   Julia got to go on the set of Y and R. She had gone to some of the cast parties.   Her friend, Brenda, used to hate to kiss Eric Braeden, who played Victor on the "Young and the Restless".   He liked to kiss with his tongue, which grossed out many of the actresses.    

April 25, 2001: Katy Keich

Had dinner with my old roommate, Katy Keich, at John Barleycorns on Clark and Addison.    It was nice to see her before I moved.   I had the best cheeseburger here.  Katy was in my bible study through Park Community Church.  We were roommates up on Cornelia Street from 1998 to 1999.   She was originally from St. Louis, Missouri.  

April 24, 2001: Shawn Young

After work, I took the Clark Street bus up to Andersonville and got off at Balmoral St and walked west towards Shawn Young's apartment.   She had a large dog, which I was afraid of, as I have never had a dog before.   Shawn showed me around the apartment.  It was very cute.   She drove to the Metra station on Lawrence and took that to work.   We all went to a Mediterranean restaurant for dinner, which was on Clark Street.

Brandie Darr also came with us to the restaurant, which was very nice.   

April 23, 2001: Julie Lively & Bible Study

Today was my official last day with my bible study from Chicago.   Julie had her daughter, Abbie, and son, Scotty there.  They were so cute.  Heather Turk gave me a ride home and wished me luck and blessings.

I have enjoyed this bible study for the past 4 years.  It was through Park Community Church in Lincoln Park.  Peter Schumacher was the one who told me about this church when I moved to Chicago in 1997, so I had attended there most of the time I was living there.

The original bible study leader was, Nancy Heche, who lived on Lakeshore Drive in a high rise condo. Her daughter, Abby, was also in the bible study.   Nancy was the mother of the actress, Anne Heche, so during these years in the study, I heard about the relationship between Anne Heche and Ellen Degeneres.  

This bible study helped me through so much during my time in Chicago and I will never forget it as long as I live.

April 21, 2001: Fabric of a Man

Today, it was 81 degrees outside.   I was excited about going to see the Chicago Theater, as I had never been there before.   I went to see Shemar Moore perform in "Fabric of a Man".     Shemar played Malcom on the "Young and the Restless".   I was one of the few white people in the audience, which I thought was funny.

I got a kick out of the audience during intermission.   So many people took out their cell phones to call people.  

After the play, you could have your picture taken with Shemar Moore.    At first, I wasn't going to pay $30 for a Polaroid picture with him, but then decided I might as well, as I knew I would regret it if I didn't.  The money went to charity, so I felt a little better about that.  Shemar wrapped his arms around me for the photo.

It felt nice having masculine arms wrapped around me, especially from someone famous.

I know my Grandma Gonyo would flip out at that, as she watched "Young and the Restless". 

April 20, 2001: Fred & Janice Soop

Fred and Janice Soop used to live on our street on Lawnel Avenue in Muskegon, but moved many years ago to Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Recently, they moved to a northwestern suburb of Chicago.   

Today, I met them at Berghoffs on Adams Street.    Then, we walked down to Michigan Avenue to the Virgin Records store.    I treated them to a hot fudge sundae at Ghiradellis. Then, I showed them my apartment on Oakdale Street.

April 16, 2001: Bible Study Party for Me

After work, I went to Linda Davis's house and she ordered Pompeii pizza for my going away party.   I thought that was very sweet of her.    The girls got me an address book and took Polaroids of me with each of them and then a group photo.  These were all put in the address book.   They also got me a candle.    They prayed for me and my future.  It was a nice way to close the Chicago chapter in my life.

Earlier, I had gone to my eye appointment at the Laser Vision Center.  Each eye was 20/15 vision.   Everyone who worked at TLC was so nice and had wonderful customer service.

April 15, 2001: Easter at Nina's

Went to the Easter service at Park Community Church in Lincoln Park.   Then, I went to Nina's apartment up near Devon/Sheridan.  She made some rice chicken (India style), then ham, cheesy potatoes, and this scrumptious apple dessert.   She made them in little tart and chopped up apples, brown sugar, and butter. 

We watched movies all day on TV. The movies we saw were:  "Top Gun", "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", and "Dennis the Menace".    It was a very relaxing day.   I put Microsoft Office on her computer.   

It meant alot to me that she invited me for Easter Dinner.