Winter Road Trip

Sometimes I wish I wasn't so bold when it came to driving through weather patterns.
But then again, I don't wish that, because I live in the mid-west. If I were squeemish, I'd never see anyone in the winter months. :p

So it's Cincinnati, and that means when we call for Snowmageddon like we did today, we will either get it, or get like, light rain for a couple hours and then 60degree temps the following day. We're hot and cold here.. literally.

We were all captivated today by the fact that as we left our houses for work between 6-7am, it was nearly 60degrees. By noon it was 12. By 3pm, freezing rain was making all the windshields gross in the parking lot, and by the time we left the office, everything was just a big ice cube with population topography.

Thanks, Nick, for taking the initiative to scrape all our windshields! :)

nick, easily the most dedicated in the office

This is the drive home at 5pm, versus an hour and a half later when we were back on the road heading to Illinois:

welp.

Again, it would be nice if somehow my brain would register that maybe, just maybe.. some ideas aren't great. But then again, my brain also works under the pretense - correct in this case - that it would eventually quit being crap weather and the drive would be fine... which eventually, it was, but not before it was complete crap and a freeway free-for-all for two hours:

Whatevs. It's super late, we made it to Kenny & Taryn's, and I'm gonna have to catch back up in the morning - I'm toast.

Stay safe, midwesters. It's nasty out there. ♥
TGIF!

xo | cms

Spidey on a Snow Day

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati:

mmm... blustery.

Needless to say, it wasn't a walk on the beach here in the Nati today. It was this, mostly all day, and although none of it really stuck, it sure made for a drab commute and us not minding being tucked away at our desks for the day.

But there's always light on the other side of a cloud; mine today was the same little superspunk that always manages to make whatever day I'm having ... better:

spidersydni! 

^ She kills me, every time. Haha. It was superhero day at school today, and since she'd come from her dad's house, naturally she came home dressed as Spiderman. She makes it look good, if I have to say so myself :)

Spidersydni was a huge help as we offloaded and unpacked a couple more boxes at the new digs. The snow had stuck a bit more out this way than in town; as we were pulling away from the house, I couldn't help but stop and breathe it in. We have worked hard for this, and it's still hard to believe it's where we'll continue building our lives.

homestead

My cousin Jeremy and his wife built their home, and throughout the process reminded us all that it's not about the house itself, but about what's built inside it, really. Looking back at life in my parents' home as an adult, I fully understood that. Now that I'm preparing to dig into it myself, with my own family, I am more than ready to embrace it.

Speaking of my family, this moment at Harbor Freight - an unlikely place - made me stop and acknowledge once more just how captivated I really am with these two, if I'm honest. The man in my life has stepped up in ways that are wholly voluntarily, not always easy and sacrificial not just for me, but for Sydni. I will jokingly (with some truth) say that she has him wrapped around her finger, but in a serious light, I am convinced that he would go to any length that I would in her best interest. If there was ever such a man, I've found one. Every lady deserves a man like this, to lead and develop her family, and I'm more in love with mine every day.

so sweet.

It's a chilly one out there, folks. This blanket is feeling warmer and warmer as the minutes go by, which tells me it might be time to call it a night.

Cheers to each of you, blogbots.. and good night!

xo | cmd

"The Poison of Everything"

Today was a good day. To say it was "busy" is a gross understatement, but it was the good kind of busy: The kind that reminds me that the activity I push myself to accomplish daily - despite the inevitable hurdles to come with it - is an element in a bigger, beneficial picture. It's not all in vain, and it's hard now, but like any labor of love, will shine later as a finished piece built properly.

Today was a challenge. Again, a good challenge, but also the type that can so easily ignite that spark of doubt in my own abilities: patience, diligence, memory, etc. I'm doing the right things, but am I doing enough of them? Am I doing them quickly enough? Why am I not doing more??

These are questions that poison my productivity on days like today, when the schedule I've written for myself becomes so diluted with unexpected activity that there's only a few checkmarks on the whole thing at the end of the day.

The following is page 45 from Shauna Niequist's book, Savor. It's a 365-day devotional that I incorporate from time to time as I do my daily quiet time. Ironically enough, I didn't read this until after the work day had closed, but hey - isn't that just like our God - to give us the material we need at just the right time, to ensure that we will fully and wholly absorb it the way He intends?

****************************

Page 45. 

Dated February 9

The Poison of "Everything"

"What you are doing is not good... The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone."
- Exodus 18: 17-18

Everything is just a killer. Everything is the heart of the conversation for me, my drug of choice. Sure, I can host that party. Of course, I can bring that meal. Yes, I'd love to write that article. Yes, to everything.

One of my core fears is that someone would think I can't handle as much as the next person. It's fundamental to my understanding of myself for me to be the strong one, the capable one, the busy one, the one who can bail you out, not make a fuss, bring a meal, add a few more things to the list. For me, everything becomes a lifestyle. Everything is an addiction. 

Deciding what I want my life to be about isn't that hard. But deciding what I'm willing to give up for those things is like yoga for the superego, stretching and pushing and ultimately healing that nasty little person inside who exists only for what people think.

GOD IS the only one who can handle everything. Pray for a few moments, and give over to God the many things you've been carrying. 

 ****************************

So..... today is February 9th. Today was that particular collection of words that comprised exactly what I wanted but simultaneously don't want to hear. I have many character flaws, but the most prominent I'm certain, is my frequent and adamant inability at times to delegate. That word, to me, sets of an alarming illusion that I'm not doing my part. That I'm on the field but I'm not running. That I'm not pulling my weight, and that I'm forsaking whatever training and preparation I've invested into the task at hand, to be passive or lazy.

^^ Doesn't that sound delusional? Or, am I not the only one who's a control freak when it comes to the job that I'm paid to do, but sometimes feel is going to overpower me? I know I'm good at what I do, and that I'm making a difference, but days like today just make me feel like honestly, I'm not doing that thing I'm good at ... good enough.

It's a tough pill to swallow, and tastes a little like how I'd imagine a vinegar and brussel sprouts smoothie would taste, when I back down and ask for help. It's a PRIDE issue, that is ultimately a sin, being committed intentionally and defiantly by yours truly, when I refuse to accept help that is offered, for a task realistically too large for me to conquer alone.

In my defense, I've become much better at warding off the enticing charms of everything. I once was that girl who did what she could to oblige every request, and wound up on 3 different church committees, hosting a "small group" of 6 couples at her home weekly, rearranged personal errands and other time-sensitive things to assist on a project or a social gathering for someone's birthday - and volunteer immediately to bring literally anything that was needed. That was me. I wanted selfishly to feel like I was contributing, and wasn't satisfied until I'd successfully outdid... who, myself?!

Lame. But yeah, at any rate, I've made strides in that respect, and now it's time for me to recalibrate and make a concerted effort on relinquishing some of the workload. This applies for the office and home. I haven't indulged myself as much as I'd like [yet] with our church, I think for fear that I'll tumble head first like I've done before, wanting to help and contribute and volunteer and assist and cover and all those other things I did before that drained me of every last ounce of energy I had.

I needed this today. I need this tomorrow. I need this to pop up as a scheduled alert once every hour. I need to be reminded that the poison of everything is very much a reality in my world. I need to split that up in some things and only take on what I can manage.

On that note, I'll leave this here for tonight, and for anyone out there who needs to see the same thing I needed today. I hope it helps. I write these blogs for myself more than anyone else; this is an entry I'll be back to read.

Sending love, discernment and the ability to delegate.. your way, blogbots!

P.S. - Yes, today was the snowiest we've had in a while, and it was beautiful. Messy, but beautiful. Kinda like... the rest of my life. And that's just fine with me :).

 

Happy Tuesday, all of you. See you tomorrow! 

  

xo | cmd

Gray. And Dante Basco.

I'd thought about asking Rob if we could take a walk, or hike or something otherwise outdoor and adventurous after work today, but I realized somewhere around the mid afternoon that the day had changed its mind somewhere in the midst of me burying myself brain deep in the task at hand. 

So, instead of the brisk yet sunny day we had yesterday, this was the tone for the afternoon and evening:

I mean... it could've absolutely been worse, so I'll take it for what it's worth and be thankful we weren't wading around in snow this evening. :)

Instead of an urban outdoor outing, we settled for a night in, complete with a tinkering session that resulted in my broken hairdryer being reincarnated into a parts mashup to fix a heat gun. Soundtrack? Well, that one was an obvious: 

guess the movie? 

[P.S. - If you don't know that immediately, well, you're missing out!]

Time to call it a night for now.. this girl's a tired ol' thing tonight.. :) 

xo | cmd

Snowback Thursday

Ok, Ohio.. We get it.

it's.... march. 

This would've been way more fun if it were a weekend. Or, if we as adults had snow days like all the kids do [ahem, Sydniiiiiiiii...]. Instead, I fired up the Subie and joined what small crowd of commuters there was between home and work. It was a slow crawl, but I made it to the office with just enough time to gather up our gear for the job fair Elisa and I were set to attend.

perfect weather for a trek through the work day... haha

We arrived at the job fair without a hitch, despite the flurries!

there's no business like snow business.... 

It was understandably slower than usual, given the inclement weather conditions. Elisa's reaction to the entire experience was equally-understandable.

i feel ya. 

To warm ourselves up after a chilly morning at OHMJ, we took a short drive a few blocks down to Findlay. where the newest installment of Eli's BBQ was up and running. SCORE.

eli's bbq! 

Back at home, it was the standard drill of activity, especially during the cold days... ;)

the pups (: 

just.. typical night.. 

hers & mini hers ;) 

Another good one in the books. G'Nite for now!

xo | cmd

Grown-Up Calamity Days? Nope. :/

Guess who got all dressed up today, and then had nowhere to go?

rub it in.. just ruuuub it in, kiddo.. haha

It was a cold one today. When it's this cold, the kiddos don't go to school. I'm know I'm not the only one who remembers this happening in my childhood just about ... NEVER.

Guess who got to spend a large part of her afternoon traipsing through the remnants of this beautiful weather? [Although said she didn't actually mind it.... ]

i love my job! ♥  

With the snow overflowing out of my wheel wells [& just about everywhere else in the city], I voted for a change of pace for the evening; instead of bundling up, I went a few layers lighter for a quick circuit at the gym with Rob beforewe decided on dinner. The snow had set in heavy by the time we wrapped up at the gym, so at the last minute it was decided that we'd stop somewhere on the way home:

nom nom nom

Phew.
It's still snowing! I imagine this will be fun in the morning, so I'm calling it a night for now.. Be SAFE out there, blogbots!!

xo | cmd

"Ello, March!

Pshhh.. Spring SHOWERS my left foot.

Well, I guess if you consider snow showers to fit into that category, then okay. If not, well then the whole adage is a crock of needing-salt-and-plowing baloney [yes, I'm aware of my spelling]. It's March 1st, and we look like it's still December.

I am so positive, huh?! Haha, I am sorry about that! I mean, it's all true, but let's rewind and talk about something positive instead, because if not.. I probably will stay frumpy about the fact that it's only Spring if this is Alaska right now.

photo cred: pixshark
but seriously..... can we please just... stop snowing?!

It's MARCH. At the END of March, I leave with my team for the mountains of Panama! Today was just a fitting day as ever to drag Rob around with me in search of some things I need to check off the list for this trip. I went at this like I usually do, even though I swear each time that I will never do it this way ever again:

Little to no game plan.

Uh huh. Don't act surprised. This time was actually much closer to 'organized' than some of my previous unscripted missions: I had a solid ballpark idea of what I wanted/needed in my head, which I decided would count for something. The problem with that type of plan though, is that I get easily distracted as it is, so not having any type of blinders system going into this proved a hindrance more than a benefit.

ok so this wasn't me today.
... ok, yes.. it was....

Example:
Thought: "I need waterproof pants."
Reality: "LOOK AT ALL THE WATERPROOF THINGS. BUY. THEM. ALL."

Will I need a waterproof case for my cell phone? Probably not. Do I have one now anyway? Yes.
Did I have small camp towels on my original list? No. Did I buy them anyway, on impulse? Yes.

*Sigh. Poor Rob, too.. haha. I felt a little bit better knowing that he picked up a few things he'd needed as well, but for the most part, I need to once again remind myself that this sort of shotgun-spread shopping has got to be contained next time. It's not like I've never been hiking or camping before... it's just that I have this tendency to overdo it when a new trip is on the horizon.. haha.

REGARDLESS,
the [final month] countdown to Panama is ON! Please, friends & wandering blog eyes, continue to pray for my team and me. Please pray that our nerves and hesitations are dismissed, and that the flexibility we are anxious to believe we possess, will endure throughout the last phase of preparation and throughout the trip itself. My mom reminded me today that Satan will be pushing back against us, and while it might not seem like it now, we'll feel it more and more as we inch closer, and very likely while we're on the trip. That is the one part that doesn't scare me though; I mean come on, it's God we're talking about here... not some measly no-name contender. He's got us :).

photo cred: tumblr
hillsong lyrics: oceans

Happy March, loves!

xo | cmd

SLEDDING! :)

So the weather folks weren't kiddin' when they told us we'd get snow last night. I woke up this morning to let the pups out, and this is what we had:

goooood morning! 

yes, that's right. 10 inches on the patio table!

just in case ya didn't believe me... haha

Haha. So much for the light flurries we've had up to this point! I know I'm not alone in that I was pretty excited to see this much snow on the ground; I am pretty sure it's because we didn't have to go anywhere, and had the day at our leisure.

I whipped up scrambled eggs while Rob took care of the turkey bacon... topped it off with some fruit & toast and we were all set. The boys bundled up and headed out in search of sleds - it's funny because we did the exact same thing last year when Jesse came to visit. We wound up that time building a fort and a snowman in the front yard, which worked out just fine. This year though, we were determined to do some sledding.

They did their duty of hunting down some sleds, and before long, we were out the door and off to Stanbery Park just down the road. The place was packed with others who'd had the same idea, so we joined in and indulged our inner child as Sydni led the way.

before & after :) haha

love this girl! 

The guys thoroughly enjoyed themselves, too!

And then Sydni and I took a few runs:


This is the first time Rob & I have gone sledding together. I was reminded today that you are never too old for some good old fashioned sled-riding. Amen?!

And you're never too old to make snow angels, either! ♥

snow angels with the mini 

Sydni was a champ today, taking on the big hill by herself at least three times once she got comfortable in the sled. Jesse & Rob of course had a snowball fight and we eventually managed a group photo.

had a blast! 

We made a quick stop at the store for some chicken noodle soup ingredients, and before we made it home, we had a sleeper on our hands ;)

zonked!

What a blast we've had so far today! We're home now, bellies full, sledding completed, and three rambunctious pups to go along with the energy Syd brings to the table. It's a mad house in here, and I don't know that I'd have it any other way.

What an awesome Saturday!

xo | cmd 

Here We Snow Again...

It's baaaaack!

snowy snowy snowy! 

^^ Ok, so that's a dumb shot out of my window, but here's why I took it:
That mirror was clear when I stopped at the stop light. And this is what it looked like when the light turned green. YAY, snow!

lovely. 

Yeah, so I live eight miles from my work. The clock in my car is set 20 minutes fast [yeahyeahyeah, I'm one of those people... I know...]. So in reality, it was 6:49am when I hit the route from my house to my office... My car said 8:16 when I got to work, which meant it was just before 8am in real life. I stopped for a couple of donuts on the way, but that's just a detail.

because, well.. because. 

I'm not a huge fan of driving through this stuff, but I have always and will always love to play in it!!

♥ snow snow snow! ♥

Here's a glimpse of what the rest of my clan did while I was working:

i was so. stinkin'. jealous.

I missed a lot :(

i've taught her well ;) 

I unfortunately missed Syd today since it was her dad's evening of the week, but I'll see her again tomorrow when she's back. She's a lucky little bug having been off school so far 3 days this week; for the sake of parents everywhere, here's hoping they're back to it tomorrow!

Be SAFE out there, friends!

xo | cmd

Snowy Snowy Snow Days...

Cincinnati finally succumbed to the snow we've not really seen much at all so far this year.
OH, and it's President's Day - a holiday recognized by seemingly every business except ours.
Just kididng. Kinda. ;)

Today... was a mess.

[thanks, google!]

 ^ I skipped taking pictures of everything around me today covered with white flakes, but that picture kind sums up what today really was. SNOW. Lots.. of snow. I mean, we're not on Boston's level yet or anything like that, but if I didn't know any better, I would have believed that Cincinnatians have in fact never seen snow. It was a little ridiculous out there.

So with that being said, the majority of Cincinnati stood dormant today: schools, many businesses, cars with poorly-performing tires... etc. Between the holiday and the snow, it was recommended across the board that everyone stay in unless absolutely necessary.

We had a short day, so that was nice. The snow hindered most of our workload unanswered, since our clients were mostly closed, and new interviews opted out of traveling through the mess for that. I'm happy to say I accomplished at least one thing that brightened up the otherwise drab & freezing day:

pto for dayyyyyyys ;) 

That's right, I finally added all of my impending PTO to the board, and with sweet satisfaction took solace in knowing that the blistery-blustery crap of today is only temporary.

With the work day behind me, I headed home to spend the extended evening with my little family.

dinner in on a cold night = ♥♥♥. 

Sydni and I snuggled up for a little bit for some e-gaming..

♥ my mini! 

And of course, her artwork for the evening [I am seriously one proud little mama]:

omagosh... love. her. 

^^ She was so proud of this! And I am so proud of her! The lucky little bug doesn't have school again tomorrow, so she was granted a half hour of staying up past her bedtime... Mama however still has to work in the morning, and I'm betting the roads are going to be... a blast.

G'Nite from our family to yours - Stay SAFE & WARM out there!!

xo | cmd 

[First] SSSSSSSSNOOWW!

Ohhhh, Sydni you lucky bug!

Here's one of those "old folk" moments where I get to say,

"When I was your age..... "

She had her first official snow day today, which did and didn't surprise me:
I wasn't surprised because it seems like it takes a lot less these days to warrant closing down, but a bit surprised, even offended in that joking-way as I thought back to the days when the drift would be halfway up our front door in the morning and we were still expected at our seats when the class bell rang.

Aaaaaanywho - it's our first snow of the year!

my backyard (: 

^^ (See? Noooot really that much snow)... Gorgeous, nonetheless!

Here's some shots I stole from my sister, back home at her property:

gorgeous work, sis! 

^^ She's up by my parents, which is North a few hours; their snowfall is usually a bit heavier than ours, and she's the lucky one of us who had time today to get out with a lens to capture it all. ♥ them!

Needless to say, it was a slow day at work, but I made up time afterwards on a couple of knitting projects that are kicking off the winter season. [Rob also warmed this place up with his signature turkey burgers; remind me next time to share that recipe!]

blueberry trinity infinity ["raspberry" stitch]
for elisa :) 

orange lorne infinity
for rebecca :) 

There will be plenty more knitting to come in the next several weeks as we prepare for Christmas. It's the perfect snowy day escape. Back to it!

STAY WARM & STAY SAFE, FRIENDS! 

xo | cmd

New Family Members!

... The Express family, that is.

Today we opened our office to a couple who will be the newest members of the Cincitucky Express family [Cincinnati + N.KY]. They'll be taking over a territory that was vacated by another owner a year or so back; today we welcomed them to our office to conduct interviews for their first staffing consultant.

welcome to the express fam!

Quick rewind to this morning... just really quick:

ohio.

^ Ohhhhhio, STOP IT!
Yeah, that's snow. Yeah, it was like, I dunno, almost 60 yesterday? Yeah, it's April. I know I'm not alone in wishing this crap would just..... go..... away. *Sigh. Mother Nature- 1, Ohioans Wishing for Warm Weather - 0.

Anyway, we lightened the drab start with the new owners; that's a special occasion for us, which also means food. If there's one unspoken Express standard, it's the provision of food at everything that could be considered a gathering. Shoot, we have office lunches here every single Friday. Today it was Chris bringing donuts, a pot of coffee to go around, and a bowl of greek yogurt+berries+honey. Nom, nom freakin' nom!


beauty in a bite!

After work, it was off to start my Easter preparation. That meant a trip to the dollar store to pick up a collection of plastic eggs, miscellaneous little trinkets and toys to fill them, some last-minute things for Syd's Easter basket and a few other things. I may have gone slightly overboard this year, but hey... that's the fun part!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

xo | cmd