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

Sweet, Sweet Saturday

There's nothing better to me than waking up surrounded by my favorite creatures - human and furry ;). Saturdays are usually a prime time for that to happen, and today was as perfect example: 

reading to her animals ♥

Sydni woke up early, as the sun was beaming through the blinds. I was still somehow asleep, even after she'd toted in half her stuffed animal collection and a few books. I came to and heard her little teacher's voice, "reading" to her stuffed animals that were sandwiched between all of us in the bed. I immediately remembered my mom telling me how I used to memorize books. Be still my heart.. this little girl ♥.

The dogs had a rough morning, also....

sasha.. fading into bliss ♥

these two. haha..

we call this... sashavasana.. ommmm
#namaste #savasana

Once the day finally started moving, it didn't stop until there wasn't any daylight left in sight.

We took the Subie down to the shop to give her a full body makeover. Naturally, Sydni had first go at the mission when we got there...

Weekends around here can certainly get crazy. It's days like today that I'm especially thankful for the fact that we can hustle around and get things done, yet at the end of that breath can reconvene in our home to refocus on what's most important: family.

I am in love with my two humans: Rob & Sydni. It's been a long time since I've had to dismiss that creeping sensation of loneliness on a beautiful Saturday. Between Sydni making our plans, or our ability in her weekends away to find the joy in spontaneity, I have a very imperfect but beautiful, beautiful thing going. I wonder often what I did to deserve this kind of blessing from the universe, but it renews my belief every day that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me in spite of my inadequacies. These two in my life remind me constantly that I am loved, and that I have love to give. It sounds crazy, but I've been in that dark place where I wasn't sure if I was lovable or capable of loving again. It turns out that I'm both... and I have these two to thank for that.

Sweet, Sweet, SWEET Saturday. 

xo | cmd

Farewell for Brittany | Night Out With Trish!

The good news from today: 

- Lawn is mowed. 

- Gardens are weeded, cleaned and trimmed. 

- Boat is clean. 

- Cars are washed. 

- House is vacuumed.

- Laundry is done. 

- Dogs are [sorta] clean. 

Basically, we got gross today before we prettied up again. It was well worth it, and in some ways, overdue. 

We managed to clean ourselves up in time to head to Brittany's for her going-away party. This gal is moving to South Carolina for work and I'm super happy for her. Congrats, Britt; thank you for letting us share in your going-away festivities! We are coming to visit you, also. Just so you know :D. 

After Britt's, it was down to good old OTR to rendezvous with some faces I haven't seen in way too long. The usual suspects, Keith & Nader were among them, but the gaps of time that lapse between visits with TRISH proved to make tonight a great opportunity to catch up. 

thanks for hangin' with me, pretty mama! 

I don't know where my mind was tonight; I didn't have my camera out at all at Brittany's, which I attribute to the fact that we were all having too much fun to worry about pictures. It's a miracle we got any decent pictures at the end of the night, too.. and Rob decided to photobomb nearly all of them. Awesome :|. 

Anyway, that's not a bad start to the weekend; I'll take it! 

xo | cmd 

Mini Car Wash

After the baby dent my car suffered yesterday when it was backed into, I of course needed to gather up all my car insurance, plate information, etc. to report to the insurance company. I stepped outside to photograph my plates, because I dunno if I'm alone in this, but I don't have my plates memorized off the top of my head.

I realized my car was filthy.
To remedy this, Rob helped me to dig out the power washer and the car care stuff. I enlisted the assistance of the best small helper there is, and the three of us had an evening of detailing the Subie.

dirty car? noooo.. problem

By the way, washing cars is tough work. My poor girl climbed in the car for a quick errand afterwards with a treat she very well earned for her dedication.. and within two minutes was out like a light. Don't worry, she'd already finished the candy on the other end and was gnawing on a soggy stick by the time she passed out. Still, it just goes to show that being 4 is a rocky journey, but *sighh... someone's gotta do it ;)

zonked!

I'm thankful for the nights like this. I love my little family and know that some of the best quality time is the time spent doing even the most menial things [i.e., washing a car] in the company of each other. ♥♥♥.

Oh, and tomrrow's FRIDAY! YAY!!

xo | cmd

M-M-Monday



is this a trick?

There are a lot of things that I see that I wish I had stopped to capture either on film or on paper. Some of those things [i.e. - herd of gigantic bull elk grazing alongside the highway in Phoenix...grrrrrr] are pretty intense, while others, like today's, are more comical and softly intriguing than anything else. It makes me wonder if the people behind certain poorly-worded phrases, well-intentioned visual flops, and other unintended goofs ever quite realize they're turning heads.

This one today, a carwash next to my work, had me questioning who in their right senses would finish the task of setting these letters, step back, and say, "Yes, that's exactly what we mean."



softball snacks

Weird. It made me smile, though, so it wasn't all bad.

Oh, and one more thing - today was awesome outside, weather-wise. The mass audience at the Towerview game tonight was testimony of the more tolerant temperature today. Even Sydni made it out, if to do nothing other than hoard all the toys and tell all the other little kids off. *sigh. I guess we all have our days.

xx Fingers crosed for decent weather for the rest of this week! xx

xo | cmd