I just started driving in Wilmington, Illinois; southbound on I-55. We still don't understand why USX deadheaded us all the way from Cincinnati to Aurora, Illinois to pick up this load. There had to be teams in the Chicago area who would have been happy to have this load. But we're certainly glad to have it. And I don't think we mind Laredo as much as some people do.

As for us on a personal level, we're still finding our way. There's a tension between us now that wasn't there before. We had a sit-down (dinner) last night, and the silence was thick. I tried to make conversation, but was keenly aware of my own voice droning on and on. There are a lot of other little things that make me worry that we're in trouble. For instance, when we went to bed in our hotel room the other night, Mara rolled away from me, which is odd for us. I love Mara and I desperately want to work this out. But more and more I feel like she's more connected with the people she chats with in text messages on her cellphone than she is with me.