• We parked ourselves under one of my favorite trees tonight as we soaked up the sunny, 68-degree weather, which was a huge treat after a week of heat & humidity in Chicago.

  July 26, 2010

• We returned from Chicago to find Donna’s ‘cross bike ready to roll and we’re looking forward to a ride to the beach tomorrow. My legs are opposed to the idea.

  July 26, 2010

• Some bonehead bride decided to pack & check flowers in dry ice, which has now delayed our flight for over an hour. 10 minute taxi to the runway, 10 minute trip back to the gate, 15 minutes to get things figured out, 15 minutes to refuel & we’re still sitting here waiting while I contemplate packing a bride in dry ice.

  July 25, 2010

• Donna is already back to a more regular routine. Coffee, yogurt with berries and catching up on Twitter.

  July 25, 2010

• Hoping we depart ORD before these storm clouds move in.

  July 25, 2010

• I had to show up Donna, after her lame pull-up attempt and did a few of my signature one-fingered pull-ups. I’ve still got it! Probably from all those years of hitting a shutter button.

  July 24, 2010

• Donna decided to do some pull-ups immediately after dinner. Actually, I think she just jumped really high.

  July 24, 2010

• Donna’s grandma and her two favorite dogs, who pretty much serve as her daily entertainment.

  July 24, 2010

• Donna, catching up on family photos at her grandmother’s home.

  July 24, 2010

• Donna is much better at entertaining Joey and Maggie than I am.

  July 24, 2010

• Lazy lazy lazy lazy lazy lazy day. Noon is nap time, right? Just chillin for the day in Elmhurst.

  July 24, 2010

• This is my nephew’s version of ‘watching’ Scooby Doo. Turn it off and you’d hear, “Hey, I was watching that!” I’m so glad I never did that as a kid. I always sat quietly, watching the tv program with great intent and focus.

  July 24, 2010

• Looks like we’ll be hangin’ out for the day at Donna’s mom’s house. Roads are closed everywhere due to flooding from last night’s storm. Ick!

  July 24, 2010

• Mother nature was kind enough to hold off on the rain until this evening. Of course she pounded us with scorching heat and humidity all week, so I’m not exactly thinking of sending her a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates.

  July 24, 2010

• Finally, after almost a week, Donna got her Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef. We’ve got one day left and she wants to go back for one more hot-dog. I downed a chili-cheese-dog AND a double-cheeseburger. Oh, and cheese fries!!

  July 24, 2010

• A $9.99 magazine to learn about my iPad? Something doesn’t make sense here.

  July 23, 2010

• I couldn’t seem to interest anyone in riding with me and what’s more sad & creepy than a guy my age riding one of these things solo.

  July 23, 2010

• Mom, dad & my sis outside Adler Planetarium on the Chicago waterfront. If they ver sell this place it’d be sweet to turn it into my part-time residence.

  July 23, 2010

• Hangin’ with my sis on Navy Pier.

  July 23, 2010

• Finally, the recognition I deserve. I wanted to make two outstanding accomplishments before I reached 40 and with this being number two, I figure I can take the next two years off.

  July 23, 2010