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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

My Night Aboard The Odyssey For The NYE Dinner Cruise Chicago

Travel | January 2, 2016

Live in Chicago? Want to try something fun and different for entertainment? Go on a NYE dinner cruise on The Odyssey Chicago! I had a blast.

There are times when it’s totally called for to pull out all the stops and sign yourself up for something amazing and worth celebrating.  I have had quite a lackluster history when it comes to celebrating New Year’s Eve in Chicago.  Too many times I’ve been frustrated with overpriced bar packages with watered down drinks and long lines to the restroom and overcrowded dance clubs that are so oversold, you literally don’t have enough room to dance past 10:30.

This year, I decided enough was enough and wanted to give something new a try…a sit down type affair that would guarantee me enough room to hold a fork, eat some good food and not have to wait in long lines for those unicorn type “all you can drink (if you can actually reach a bartender)” NYE shindigs.  I reached out to Entertainment Cruises since I had read some good things about their various cruise packages and wanted to try and redeem my New Year’s Eve in Chicago.

Odyssey Cruise Yacht Chicago

NYE Fireworks Cruise Odyssey

Entertainment Cruises Chicago Odyssey NYE Fireworks Cruise

We boarded the Odyssey at 8:30 and cruised until 1:30am and I can tell you, it was such a fun evening that midnight snuck up on us.  I got to sit next to a couple who later got engaged, and we shared champagne.   We had several courses- delicious seafood appetizers, salad, steak and lobster, and an array of delicious desserts at the dessert bar.  Also, did I mention there was champagne? Yes. Yes there was.

Odyssey Cruise NYE Dinner Cruise 2015

Moet et Chandon

The DJ did a great job of keeping everyone dancing throughout the evening, and yes, there was plenty of room to bust a move (which, as mentioned has not been the case on other venues in the past, I was happy).  Our server, was fantastic and brought drinks to our table, (woo, no lines) though other people did saunter up to the bar from time to time.

The energy of the evening was great and the service was impeccable.  If you’ve partied in a big city on a crazy night like NYE, you know what a struggle it can be when you’re fighting crowds to get served or find a place to hang out and enjoy a drink.  The ship allowed us plenty of breathing room to dance, dine, drink and the atmosphere was energetic but still allowed for great conversation while noshing on some delicious food.

NYE Fireworks Cruise Entertainment Cruises Chicago

At midnight, we were all invited to the top deck of the ship and given noisemakers and hot cocoa to ring in the new year and watch the fireworks.  I think there must have been 3 or 4 proposals while we were up there- it was the perfect spot and the perfect time to start your life together- cruising along the Chicago skyline, during fireworks on NYE…. seriously, what an unforgettable night!

Everyone was given an adorable bag of “Midnight Kisses” and hot cocoa- every detail was planned and it was a seamless evening from start to finish.  I can honestly say it was one of the best evenings I’ve had in Chicago in a LONG time.

Midnight Kisses on the Odyssey Chicago- one of my favorite little touches!

Chicago Skyline Aboard the Odyssey Chicago

Literally, everything was taken care of on the cruise.  From our drinks which were consistently topped off, to the restroom which had no lines (which we ladies can appreciate), the staff were all so helpful and timed the courses really well.  Additionally, before the cruise, the team sent out an email to all attendees to help us be sure we knew exactly what to expect and how to ensure we found a cab on a very high volume evening on the way home.

IMG_0474 Thank you to Odyssey Chicago for having me aboard your vessel for an amazing start to 2015!  I will be back!

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

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Follow the adventure on Instagram

Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
Life’s moments are made better with our pets. ❤️

Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

Life hadn’t been easy for him, but I’m glad a rescue was there to give him a second chance, and they trusted me to give in his second chapter.  He was a well travelled dog and he was the Best Pup on our wedding day in Marfa.  Last night we said goodbye. Hubs and I will miss him dearly, but savor the moments and adventures with our little tank. 

Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
“Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked “Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked me this before. To which, I answer- life is full, wonderful, and I am grateful. 

I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

I had years to find myself and don’t plan on losing that woman I forged. Being a mom has also helped me heal some of the hard parts of the experience I had with my own mom. (I didn’t see that last part coming.)

Being a mom can make you lose yourself.  For me, it’s helped me discover myself once more. Grateful for this day and so many days - I’m just happy to be here. 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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