I can’t even describe how great today was except to say it was definitely a top ten day of my year so far. It was all built up on the simple joys of things I love being all in one place at the same time.

Yes things, not people. Today was day for me to just chill out, relax and hang by myself for a while. I’ve been getting to do that more and more lately and with the weather warming up finally I get to do it outside and I am loving every second of it – I need more!!!

So I woke up, again, wide eyed and feeling rested. Considering I had consumed a bit of alcohol, not eaten a ton and spent all day yesterday in the sun, I feel I woke up better off than I expected.

Sasha was giving me little kisses and Ozzie was resting on my stomach while Ernie kept jumping on and off the bed purring in my ear for food. I LOVE my cats. Jasper was adorably singing to himself (in one of his mirrors no doubt) a sweet little tune that warmed my heart immeasurably. I woke up a happy and quietly contented girl. It felt fantastic!

I tended to some texts and phone calls then hoisted myself up out of bed to feed all the babies and get ready to head up to Evanston for the Custer Street Fest. I finally got there around 2ish after taking my time to get ready and grabbed my umbrella and a light sweater just incase it wasn’t as warm as the day before.

I walked outside to find it WASN’T as warm…75, still warm some would say, but it is clearer to me now I like it HOT!!! Ok, so I get to Evanston and realize I got off way to late. So Ivan who was on his way to run errands picked me up and dropped me back at Main St. Thus my adventure at the Custer Street Fest began.

Upon arriving there was a musician playing a steal guitar – Kraig Keener or something like that (I got two of his albums) and he was AWESOME! It was so folky and bluesy and fun! I LOVE music like that. He tapped his foot on a wood box and played and sang a little and it just made my day even better!

Finally I started walking…I found a vendor that sold rings in my size (not common, I’ve got thin fingers) and so I picked up a couple little ones. NICE! Then I headed down to meet up with a couple friends and their son for a quick “hello!…good bye!” before moving towards the food.

The greek place is what I settled on and the guy who told me I’d be back to order food piled fresh and delicious seafood HIGH on my plate along with yummy salad and rice pilaf. YUM YUM! So good, I couldn’t even eat the whole thing!

Then I made my way back and picked up a few great goodies here and there.

The BEST find of the entire day however was unbelievable to me. I had hit about 75% of the vendors when I came across another jewelry one. The first earring turn-style I went to HAD THE PAIR OF EARRINGS THAT I LOST ONE OF A FEW MONTHS BACK!!! I was sooo excited I made an audible noise of delight to which people looked at me like I was weird. Oops! I am, oh well.

I was so happy, I can’t even tell you. I KNOW it sounds stupid to get so excited about something so trivial, but I just loved those earrings I tell you and it warmed my heart the guy had them. They were the only pair too (otherwise I would back picked up a couple more since they only cost $14 a pair). I got another small ring and was happily on my way back towards the middle stage.

At this point, my purse was getting full and I knew Ivan would be joining me before we headed up to Ravinia for a concert (Michael Feinstein and Pink Martini)…I stumbled upon the steal guitarist again playing on the stage and stood listening for his entire set. WHAT A GREAT SHOW!!! So so so good…bluegrassesque – I tapped my foot the entire time! While standing there listening a vendor tapped me on the shoulder and said “Excuse me, I think you had lost this” and handed me my favorite Chococat Umbrella.

He found me in the maze of people to give me back my umbrella. HOW NICE IS THAT?!?! People aren’t this nice anymore, they just don’t care! It made me day and I thanked him with a hug and a smile. So so so nice. I’m glad I had bought something from them! They totally earned it and then some!

Finally Ivan met me in the final moments before boarding the Metra to Ravinia.

We got there and let me just tell you – the show was freaking GREAT! Michael Feinstein (a favorite for sure) did an Old Blue Eyes tribute which just rocked. HE WAS SO MEANT TO BE IN THE RAT PACK!!! He told stories about Mr. Sinatra (because of course he had HUNG OUT WITH THE GUY when he was a young) and sang without effort.

Pink Martini was next and they, of course, kicked ass. One of the highlights of the show was this impromptu duet of Rhapsody in Blue between Michael Feinstein and Thomas Lauderdale that just BLEW MY MIND! They did the whole suite…it kicked so much ass. I’ve never seen Michael look nervous or visible shake, but his fingers gave him away. No matter, they were both incredible together and for something they had thought up trying only a few hours earlier, I was just aw struck.

SO GREAT!

WHAT A NIGHT!! Seriously…I need more weekends like THIS weekend in my life. I was relaxed, I was so happy, smiling from ear to ear all weekend long and I felt good!! Oh thank you summer sun for finally coming out here and melting those winter blues away.

I cannot wait to see what excitement befalls me this coming Pride weekend! (I’m looking for a Rainbow Brite outfit if anyone knows of a hook up – I wanna wear it to the parade!!!)

Cheers all – and HAPPY SUMMER!!!!