To blog or not to blog...

That seems to be the question. I seriously promise to be more consistent with this blog every time I post to it. Kind of odd because I truly do love to write - whether the words are read at the other end or not - and I have really embraced social media, not just as part of my job, but as a personal hobby and semi-obsession at times. That said, I've decided that I will be as consistent with this blog as my schedule allows me to be and won't be so hard on myself when the posts aren't so frequent...my millions of readers will just have to be patient. :) Oh, and since I do truly believe that a blog is much more than the latest tool to share photos, I'm not going to wait to post until I have new photos to share. I'm going to just write -whatever topics life puts in my path. Because I haven't really written in a long time - outside of writing for work - and I miss it.

Blogging isn't the only area in my life where I lack consistency...there are definitley others. Namely, running!I've tried a million ways to get on and stay on a consistent workout routine. I do great for a few weeks, maybe even a month and then I slide...even my commitment to an upcoming half marathon hasn't sealed the deal. Tonight I'm feeling like letting myself off the hook for things that would normally demand repeated self beration. But tonight, I am tired and I just don't see the point. Maybe I will conquer running one day and actually learn to love (maybe like is more realistic...or not HATE?) it. Maybe I won't. Maybe I will continue to have an on-again-off-again relationship with running and with physical fitness in general. And maybe that is ok...just me.

Oh and because random thought continues to invade me tonight, I'm also ruminating on a new name for this blog. I think something a little more creative, something a little more indicative of us, of me...is in order. And since nothing brilliant has struck me, I'm totally taking suggestions. Please...share. :)

Three more days of work this week...then blissful lake and relaxation. Time with family. Amazing quality time with the fur babies. Time to run (yep, I'll do it), sunbathe, drink good wine, hang out, catch up, read, BE. I need it and look forward to it.

I hope your 4th looms happy and full of whatever means joy to you. And I hope you'll drink too much, eat too much and revel in fireworks like you're a kid again.

As for me, I'll post again soon and will have much to say about our lakeside adventure with the full family including all 6 nieces and nephews, 7 dogs in total and that is before even considering the adults (by my count about 9).

A Date with the Nation's Capitol

I recently had to use up extra vacation days for work or I would have lost them - incredibly pathetic I know - and BJ could not take time off work just prior to the start of his season, so I set off for a long weekend in DC to visit Matt.

It had been many years since I'd done the tourist thing - I drug him all over the city and toured all the memorials, the White House, capitol, Supreme Court and everything else I could fit into the span of four days.

I love the city and I had a great time visiting with Matt - all in all a vacation well spent. But next year, I'm planning ahead and I'm hitting the beach during the crazy Chicago winter!

Here's hoping your travels are adventure filled all summer long.

Derby Days!

Hi all - I feel like every post begins with "we have been so terrible with posting to our blog." We have had a very busy few months with lots of business travel and the arrival (finally) of warmer weather here in Chicago. We are thrilled to spend more time outdoors and not have to put on 60 layers just to avoid frostbite!

We joined my family in May for our annual tradition - a trip to Louisville for the Derby! A great time was had by all minus my complete emotional breakdown over the fate of Eight belles. Even Jack and Cooper enjoyed the trip and took home their very own souveniers from Nana.

We hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the summer and we are going to try and be better about posting our adventures more regularly. :)