Entertrainment Junction | Keepin' It Mellow

I made an executive decision today to take Rob somewhere in Cinci that he's not yet been. Usually, I would've reserved this type of field trip for a day when Sydni was also here, but she's already been at least once and he hasn't... so... yeah. Entertrainment Junction it was!

On our way up, we had the fortunately-safe experience of witnessing a high-speed, multi-patrol car chase up Highway 75; reading the newsfeed later on, we found it was a shoplifter who had run over a police officer's foot in her getaway mission from Northgate Mall. The chase ended within visible space just past the exit we took. I've never before actually seen a high speed chase happen.... definitely an exhilirating thing.

high speed chase? uhhh, sure.

We made it to EJ without being witness to any other calamity on the roadway, and when it was all said and done, we both agreed it was a worth a day trip.

didja know?

displays

more displays

me & my love | santa & a window washer ;)

And since we're back in Cincinnati, it meant today inevitably finding some familiar faces for the evening. It wasn't hard. Well, it almost was, after I passed out for about two hours in what felt more like a coma than a nap... but who's counting, right? Rob was nice enough to kick me off the couch and into something better than sweats so that we could head out for a little while. We didn't have any specific ideas, so we defaulted to OTR, land of Neon's, Rheinhaus and Co.

fireside @ neon's

outdoor fire pits & silly friends (:

We found Nader and Keith in no time, and I even ran into some even more familiar faces [Kyle!], and some characters from as far back as college [Sal, Renato & Mischa - hii!!]. Sometimes I forget what and who I'll find roaming around this town now that I'm back. Go figure (:

Easy night though. Church in the morning!

xo | cmd

Ali & Melissa Are Here!

So maybe we weren't given the entire day off work today like some folks had, but I'm definitely complaining about a half day... since some other people [more specifically other Express offices] were working the full day. Happy Day-After-The-Holiday! Haha.

The extra few hours were great for heading home, getting Sydni, and having her "help" me clean up the house for our visitors, who were en route by mid-morning from Illinois. It wasn't long before Ali & Melissa made it safe & sound...

hello, friends! (:

Can I please just say how much I have MISSED seeing Ali every day?! We used to be co-workers, and went from every day both at and outside of work hanging out, to me moving two states away and seeing each other faaaar less frequently. Booooo! I'm glad they're both here, even if it is just for tonight & tomorrow night.

Ali came bearing little trinkets! (:

thank you, friend!! | you can never have too many owls! (:
+ a mini love statue from philly & some shells for sydni from new jersey!

We wasted very little time hopping back in the car for a trip over to Rookwood; there was browsing to be done at Charming Charlie, Francesca's and Love Culture [with no success at any of them], before we called it quits. Might I throw in here, too... that the lady we spotted very obviously and with no tact SHOPLIFTING from CC should really be ashamed of herself. If you're gonna be a thief, don't let my 3-year-old of all people blurt out, "Mommy? Is that lady taking those?" -- I mean, really?  and headed back to Mariemont for Graeter's.

graeter's!! | mariemont, oh

You cannot go wrong with Graeter's.
Ali, welcome to Cincinnati! haha.

Back at the house, it was dinner cooking time [one of my faaaavorite whenever guests are in!], Pitch Perfect [duh], and an impromptu jewelry-making session to match their attire for the wedding they'll be attending tomorrow.

mmmmmm! diiiinnnerr..... chicken+couscous+zucchini = homecooked fun

I have a few last-minute tweaks to do for their jewelry for tomorrow, but I think we're all just about spent right now.. we'll call this one and pick it all back up tomorrow... (:

xo | cmd