How to Know If You're From Chicago

You Might Be From Chicago If:

The 'living room' is called the 'front room'.
You don't pronounce the 's' at the end of Illinois and you become irate at people who do.

You measure distance in minutes (especially 'from the city') and you swear everything is pretty much 1/2 hour away.

You go to visit friends, or family, down south and laugh when they complain about the traffic.
You understand that no person from Chicago can be a Cub fan AND a White Sox fan.
It's 'Kitty corner' not 'Katty corner'.
You know the difference between The Loop and Downtown
Stores don't have sacks, they have bags.

You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example:
'Where's my coat at?' or can I go with?'
(My English teacher had fits with this one.)

You drink 'pop', not soda.
You call the interstates 'expressways'.
You refer to Lake Michigan as 'The Lake '
You refer to Chicago as 'The City'.
You have two favorite football teams: The Bears, and anyone who beats the Packers.
You buy the 'Trib', not the 'Tribune' or the 'Times', not the 'Sun Times'.
You know that despite being on the lake, there is no such place as the Waterfront.
You think 45 degrees is great weather to wash your car.
You picnic or ride your bike in the 'forest preserve'.
You know what goes on a Chicago style hot dog.
You know what Chicago Style Pizza REALLY is.
You know why they call Chicago 'The Windy City".
You understand what 'lake-effect' means.
You know the difference between Amtrak and Metra, and know which station they end up at.
You have ridden the 'L'.
You think your next door neighbor is a cousin to Tony Soprano.

You have, at some time in your life, used your furniture...or a friend's body, to guard your parking spot in winter.

You respond to the question 'Where are you from?' with a 'side'. Example: 'Westside,' 'Southside or 'North Side.

You know what a 'garache key' is!
And my favorite: You eat your pizza in squares, not triangles, and you never refer to it as 'pie'.

I’m looking forward to reuniting with my family in Chicago next week. I miss all of them so much. My friend, Bev, emailed these. They are funny…and true! Anybody from Chicago out there and can relate?

The Daisy House

I work at my desktop with the children at my feet. A makeshift area rug made of white butcher paper lines the floor where the baby, crayon in hand, imitates her big sister. Sister focuses on the finishing touches of the house she designed. The catchy children’s song, Wheels of the Bus, blasts from the Toddler Station on Pandora Radio. Six year old Sookie unveils her masterpiece and I ooh and awe at the sketch. “It’s a daisy house!” I exclaim. “I love the colors. I wonder what the inside looks like.” Without hesitating, Sookie describes each room. “There are five rooms and they are all different colors. One is Mint Chip, another Strawberry. There is a Vanilla room, and a Cookies & Cream room and the last room is Rocky Road. You have to wear a sweater inside because it is very cold.” “A house made of ice cream,” I reply. “It sounds heavenly!” I dug into my Bible readings that morning ...

Marriage Tip #44: Do What He Wants

I thought about our upcoming anniversary. I prayed one morning for the marriages in my family, and a sentence about my own dropped in my spirit: “ Do What He Wants .” I paused, “Really?” He’s his own man. What if I end up in the wilderness camping by night and target shooting by day? What if a coyote decides to have me as a late night snack? We celebrated our anniversary early this year, Before the kids come next week. And we did it his way . This is how it happened. I never asked him about a plan or even mentioned our day. I remember how it all unfolded at the roundabout just as we drove into Sedona. He asked me if I would like to go to a baseball game. I responded excitedly, “Yeah!” Before the day was over, he purchased tickets for a Diamondbacks home game. He printed them out. He booked a hotel room so we wouldn’t have to drive home from the city after the late evening game. ...

The Final Chapter

Are you like me when you join a new group of people? Do you navigate the crowd wondering where you fit in the best? I felt insecure when I joined Word Weavers, a Christian writing group in our town. Liz and Tony welcomed me with their accepting smiles. It meant a lot. I sat with Liz in a small critique group one week. I leaned in close so we could share a writer’s paper together. She mentioned she would passively kick back and listen because she felt sick that day. Tony kept his eye on her walking over with a plate of cookies and a hug for his wife. But Liz did not eat. Last week, Liz passed away. I attended the memorial service where I learned that Liz was a dreamer and fought for her dreams up to the very end! Liz’s dream, her third book Jamie , came true. The publisher approved her manuscript and moved heaven and earth to get the story printed in book form and delivered to Liz. ...

RCUBEsJune 16, 2011 at 12:59 PM
My friend who grew up in Chicago would love this!!! She was the one who taught me how to eat "Portillo's" (I can't call them "hot dogs" :) )and "Uno's pizza!".

God bless and take care sister.
Mevely317June 16, 2011 at 1:03 PM
I can't wait to share this with my hubby ... a "south-side" fella!
Sherry @ Lamp Unto My FeetJune 16, 2011 at 2:47 PM
I live in Illinois so it is fun to read these. :)
Beth in NCJune 16, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Ha, I learned a lot reading these. :o) We drink soda here.

Have a great trip!

Love!
Beth
PeggyJune 16, 2011 at 5:00 PM
I'm not from Chicago but I enjoyed this post. I have relatives there. I also live in a state where we not only don't pronounce the s at the end but replace it with a w-Arkansas. Have fun reuniting with your family next week.
DeborahJune 17, 2011 at 5:22 AM
Well Mary, in case Im ever in Chicage, Ive learned some new things today.
Some of these expressions are eevryday ones here in Ontario :)
Have a great visit my friend!

Deborah xoxoxo
Heart2HeartJune 17, 2011 at 11:30 AM
I have some friends from Chicago that can probably relate to this and will be passing it along. Thanks for sharing this for stopping by today!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat
lioneagleJune 17, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Hi Saleslady371 -

I didn't know that you were a native of Chicago.

I enjoyed this piece. Thank you

You are going to visit there, soon?

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