Chicago, John Hughes, Travel

Walking in John Hughes Footsteps: Movie Locations & Addresses

First published August 3, 2015 I wrote a piece for Chicago Parent about John Hughes in January 2015, including addresses such as his former home, the cemetery where he is buried, and his favorite pizza restaurant. Then, one late May night, my friend Jen and her boyfriend George were walking around Lake Forest, Illinois, looking… Continue reading Walking in John Hughes Footsteps: Movie Locations & Addresses

Family, Humor, Travel

Return to Snake Island-Cedar Point 2015

  Last week, we got to go on a little family getaway to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. A few years ago, we met up with my brother and his family there, and this year, we decided to do it again — this time also meeting up with our dear friend Vikki and her family.… Continue reading Return to Snake Island-Cedar Point 2015

Childhood, Family, Life

The Greatest Man I Always Knew

The title comes from one of my favorite songs, Reba McEntire’s “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” which tells the story of a distant father-daughter relationship. That doesn’t describe my childhood with my dad, but the song resonates with me because of how much of his life he devoted to providing for our family.  … Continue reading The Greatest Man I Always Knew

Family, Life, Travel

A Much Needed Spring Break in Tennessee – 2015

We left for Tennessee a few weeks ago to visit Mamie and Papa for a week during the girls’ spring break from school. It had been three months since we saw them at Christmas, so we could not wait to get down there. 65 degrees in southern Illinois.It was 30 degrees where we had left.… Continue reading A Much Needed Spring Break in Tennessee – 2015

Family, Favorite Things, Humor, Life, Marriage

I Had a Wedding in a Barn Long Before Pinterest

  Actually, I have had two weddings in barns. At my first wedding, we held our reception inside and outside of a family-owned barn in my home state of Ohio. At my second wedding, the entire ceremony and reception were held in a barn in the suburbs of Chicago. That should be some kind of… Continue reading I Had a Wedding in a Barn Long Before Pinterest