Long day, fun day

M took Amtrak from West Lafa to Chicago.  I took Metra from Wheaton to Chicago.  I think M had the better deal.

My train was full of Cubs fans with a smattering of Cardinals fans thrown in for a good measure of rivalry.  My train also was "blessed" with a not very nice ticket taker.  : /   Unfortunately for me, this man chose to share his not very niceness with me.  : //   I, in turn, didn't respond very well.  : /// 

I'm happy to say that once I met up with M, my day was exponentially better.  First we went to the French Market and had something to eat -- breakfast for me and lunch for her.  Then we walked up to State Street and shopped at H&M, the new Target, DSW, and Forever 21.  M got a lacy black tee shirt and a gray dress that will be perfect for grad school interviews.  I got to help M make good choices. 

After shopping we rested -- my feet and M's back -- at Magnolia Bakery.  Mmmm, cupcakes and lemon bars.  : )   Finally we walked around the corner to Argo Tea.  E and N gave me an Argo gift card for my birthday last year and I had enough money left on the card to treat M and me to ice tea.  We relaxed and studied GRE words with M's flash cards while we waited for G to pick us up.

Initially I had planned to get my hair cut and highlighted today, but spending the day with M was much more fun.  : )