Pamper Time: Subie & Lexi

Okay, okay, okay, let's not pretend like I am the only one out there who's ever taken her car's ability to function despite an exactly-routine oil change for granted. Whether it's surprising or not, I am generally not that bad about preventative maintenance and ensuring repairs are done as needed. Oil changes though? I could do better.

I said all that to say that today's top priority was getting my dear little Subie a well-overdue oil change! Not just that, but she got 2 brand new tires, an alignment and a full internal/external wash & detailing. That girl got pampered today! She wasn't the only one; Lexi got her fair share of attention today, too. It was definitely a day dedicated to the cars we've been blessed to have. 

lexi getting a bath...

It was a beautiful day outside. We're in the last couple days of January, and as we adventured out for a day of local tourism, we couldn't help but laugh at the masses of like-minded folks, clad in tshirts, shorts and even a few sandals were sighted! 

It would've been easy to commit today to a marathon of TV shows, lounging, perhaps packing for this upcoming move, or any number of other things, but it felt good to get out and about, contrary to what I'd originally thought I wanted to do today. Haha. Our city, Cincinnati, was wholly appreciated today, as we journeyed across 275, 52, 50, 28 and 125, and drank in everything from downtown to the east end. We didn't make it north, but the quality time I got to spend with Rob will supercede the fact that we spent the afternoon tucked in the car ;). 

We're home now, after a dinner of hibachi, sushi and edamame. 

Tomorrow is the first official meeting for June's SonRise Panama trip, aka Panama, Part II!!! I am beyond excited for this, and am praying there will be a healthy turnout of folks who are interested and able to join in. From what I've heard, it sounds like this trip may be a bit more mild than last year, with less physically-demanding hikes and seclusion; hopefully that provides a more conducive opportunity for a diverse collection of our church family to join in. 

See you bright & early tomorrow! 

xo | cmd

Separate Sundays

Rob went to paint his car all day, and I... read this:

done & done!

^^ If you want an intense read, I would recommend this... but only if you're savvy to the English lifestyle and don't misinterpret slang terminology, like I did a few times. Woops ;)

Anyway, as an appetizer to my afternoon spent reading, I absorbed some love and light at SonRise before a quick grocery trip and return home to the couch, a blanket and that book.

I caught glimpses of Rob's progress throughout the day:

in the paintbooth! 

Different variations of the progress kept rolling in, until finally there was the finished product:

little lexi! 

Although I'm not the least bit surprised that Rob did all this work basically by himself [aside from the sanding job; that took professional assistance....from yours truly, of course... ;) haha], I am super excited for and proud of him for getting this done. It was clear that this project was eating at him, so now that it's done, I'm sure little Lexi will be fully welcomed to sit in the driveway. Hah.

Entralled yet?
I know, this is pretty menial stuff to an audience, but I write these e-memoirs more for my own recollection more often than not, so your patience and silent endurance are greatly appreciated ;)

Monday's here again tomorrow, despite my ongoing protest [to whom can I write a letter on this?!].
Time to close out for now. I hope you've had a wonderful weekend, too!

xo | cmd

Three Phase Saturday!

Phase 1: Prep the Lexus for her new paint job.

this guy ♥

doin' my share! 

I had to cut out early and leave Rob to finish the rest of the work himself; I was pushing time to get ready and get myself to the chapel for Lizzy's wedding!

Phase 2: Wedding Bliss! #BlumVollmerVows

elisa & i @ the blum-vollmer wedding!
summit country day school | cincinnati, oh

congraaaaatulations to mr. & mrs. vollmer!!! ♥

Lizzy. was. BEAUTIFUL!! Congratulations, again to her and her new hubby!

From there, it was back home to rendezvous with Rob, clean up again and head right back out the door for the third and final trip of the day.

Phase 3: Becky's Birthday!

happy [early] birthday!!!!!!!!!

For those of ya'll who don't know, but for some reason care to know, Becky was my RA my freshman year at UC. It was friendship at first soccer practice; she was a keeper and I was one of those bouncy midfielders tasked with sprinting up and down the field while she kept an eye on the goal. She introduced me to each of the Cincinnati soccer arenas, and can be blamed, on several grueling occasions, of inviting me to run every. single. stair. [yes, every single stair] in Nippert Stadium. As a sidenote, for those of you who've never been inside a college football stadium, that's a LOT of freaking stairs, and you kind of want to meet some sort of immediate demise like, halfway through, if not sooner.

SOMEHOW, despite our frequent death runs through Nippert, repeated blood drives at Hoxworth and sessions of us either stripping off or washing our soccer shin guards post-game and choking ourselves on the putrid smell, we stayed friends, and grew into our post-college days as such.

yep. all around, yep. 

NOW, I can easily say she's been a lifeline to me over the past few years specifically, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. There's not a friend more loyal and respectable than this gal, and I'm proud to call her that. Happy birthday, to a truly incredible friend, coach and mentor. Love you, woman!

my date ♥

^^ That guy [we'll save my tribute rant on him for another day] was my date, and I'm reminded daily, especially at special events like this, that I picked a good one. I am one lucky girl.

Happy painting on little Lexi tomorrow, Rob.
Congratulations, Lizzy V!
And... Happy birthday, Becky!!

And for the rest of my blogbot loves : Happy Saturday! ♥

xo | cmd

New Girl On The Block

Rob, the Craigslist afficionado, has struck again.

I think the rampant string of buy-sell-buy-sell may finally be at a stopping point -- for now.

Meet the newest addition to our family. She is still nameless, although we've received numerous suggestions of an appropriate nickname of Lexi.

welcome to the family, newb!

We're still working on the name.

Whilst Rob was working out the final deal on that little gem, Sydni and I busied ourselves in the grass by a nearby church, where she was ready to show me exactly how well-rounded she is:

We stretched. Playing is now an activity that, according to Sydni, requires extensive preparation. This is called the cross-your-arms stretch. Who knew? 

♥♥♥♥!!

We tumbled.

We laughed. A lot.

happy girl

Since she just started school, I figured I'd give her a pop quiz on something she learned this week: addition.

It's true. This little chicky seems to be too smart to handle sometimes.
And most importantly, we hydrated. ;)

sticker-clad chickadee

Overall, I don't think we can complain. We have a new set of wheels in the driveway, two wagging pittie tails curled up on next to us and a kindergartener who loves life.

We're pretty happy.
Hope you are, too!

xo | cmd