Weekendings

For the first time in quite awhile, Chicago decided to provide irrefutable proof that it actually IS that radiant, amazing city (most especially in the summer) that so many folks passionately describe. Often in the past 2 years since moving here, I've stared at these people, my eyes wide, confusion coloring my entire face, with an unfortunate array of proof points to the contrary. Not that I don't love this city - truthfully, I've had an affair with it from the beginning - it's just that...the weather - my GOD the weather - has at times made it seem impossible to want to stay here forever.

This weekend, though? I could see it. A future - ours - here in this spot. Because it was sparkly and bright, sunny and not humid, breezy but not gale-forced-knock-your-ass-over windy, and we could not get enough outdoor time. That is my favorite state of affairs, Internet. Because, truly there is no such thing as too much time spent outdoors.

We kicked things off with takeout from one of our favorite neighborhood haunts, and were fast asleep on a Friday night at an hour that would have made us cringe in earlier years. I'll let you guess the time all on your own. :)

I fed my inner tech-geek and finally brought home the MACdaddy of all gadgets (pun intended). Spent much of the remainder of the weekend playing with it and customizing to my own liking. It's been 2 days, and I'm already completely baffled at how life was even possible before this little guy. Dramatic, much?

Finally pulled the bikes out from their dusty winter home and did a nice long lakeside ride; miles and jello-legs and hours later, the walk up our stairs was painful, but the relaxation and mind-clearing capacity more than made up for it. The fur babes enjoyed the weather too; we freed the beloved orange ball from its prison in the very back of our car (where, frankly Jack can STILL sniff it out) and let them frolic for more than an hour. They made friends, they snapped at other "friends," Jack ran until we thought his tiny heart would explode, and Cooper ate his usual motherload of grass.

Dinner and Entourage and talk of weekends and plans ahead wound us down - and today is day one of the cleanse folks. Wish me well, will you? I have a feeling it is going to get interesting around here over the next 20 days.

And you?

p.s. - apologies for the lack of photos. iphone obession kept my camera out of use the majority of the weekend