KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION!!

STOP IT.

Sydni graduated Kindergarten.. today. STOP IT. STOP IT. STAAAAAHP.

Already?!

syd & her class!

When I woke up and got ready this morning, it was hard for me to believe that I would have a first grader by the time the afternoon started. Rob and I met up with my parents at Sydni's school, followed eventually by Joe, his mom and Nikea.

We followed the crowd of parents and family outside [Sydni clearly had the biggest fan club], where Syd and her class had prepared this little number for us:


I mean... get outta here with all that cuteness!

action shots :) 

The celebrating continued, family style:

her dad's side

my parents! [aka nana & pappy]

my world! 

group shot

Syd's dad and mamaw had to leave, so that left us with my parents to enjoy the rest of family day and explore what Sydni's day looked like.

r: "what do you wanna do this summer?"
s: "um..... boat. and swim. and play in the park!" 

^^ Those two :) :) :).

making a tye dyed shirt! 

playing on the playground

Pappy, the patient observer: 

this guy... hahaha...

bubbles!! 

The playground time came to an end, so we headed inside to show Syd's classroom to Nana, Pappy & Rob:  

the book cover syd duplicated

the "clip" system - i love this! 

My heart was so happy today, watching Syd accept her certificate of kindergarten completion. As much as her dad and I have our differences, and likely always will, she looked so completed, and so content to have all of her close family there.. and that, really, is all I could've asked: for her to be this genuinely happy:

my heart. 

After the celebration, we grabbed lunch with my parents, then headed off on our own to return to our day at work, while my parents spent a few more hours with Syd. They eventually dropped her back off at her dad's before heading back north themselves, completing their daytrip. I am so thankful for them and for their willingness to make that journey.

Work finished with a big meeting, which was a great thing [I'll fill those blanks in later; it's a lot], before I finally made my roundtrip back to Rob, rendezvousing with him at the gym.

AND, we wrestled a Pinterest recipe into submission for dinner tonight, and it was pretty daggone good:

turkey & sweet potato skillet! 

nom nom nom!!! 

Whewwwwww! What a day! Life is good. Life. IS. GOOD.

xo | cmd

Eat .. And PLAY.. Like Champs!

If there's one thing my mother taught me when I was young [that I still wholly embrace today], it's this:

There are many schools of thought that would say I'm completely off-base, but I'm a firm believer that what you put into your body affects not just what comes out of your body, but how you're body functions overall. It's a science, really, but in the same rite, it's not a concept that should be so complicated.

That ancient adage, You Are What You Eat holds more stock to me than the combined amount of advice I've been given along the way. It's simple:

You eat well, you'll be well.

You eat crappy, you'll be crappy.  

I know: "Healthy food is expensive." Here's something to consider: 

1. That's an excuse not to do our research into cost-efficient ways to eat better.  They DO exist; I know this because I am not oozing money but I manage to maintain a healthy menu. Think about it in terms of what not to buy or eat, instead of I need to GET this, and BUY this. Also, on that note - don't accept at face value anything you're told, unless you're willing to go and test that advice. For instance, a doctor might tell you you're lacking manganese. You could get a supplement for that, or .... you could eat grapes. And green beans. And cucumbers, kiwi, strawberries, rice... the list goes on. Not every fancy-sounding element our body needs will cost you big bucks to satisfy. 

2. Yes, sometimes the healthier options are a bit pricier, but often times, they're NOT. Don't believe all the hype about prices. A bag of apples is cheaper than a case of those minibags of chips, and I don't think I really need to lay out the nutritional benefits of apples v. chips. 

3. It's all about educating yourself and how much discipline you're willing to have. 

4. Don't diet without exercise. It'd be like putting a full tank of gas in your car and then never driving it. You're fueled for performance, but you're sitting in the garage. Take a walk with your kids, if nothing else. Don't use kids as an excuse to never do anything [just sayin']. 

5. Make it PERSONAL! Have you ever considered just how unique we each are? We have different hair, different skin, different digestive systems, different pH balances... we are not cookie-cutter creatures? So why use a cookie cutter diet? You might not need to eliminate gluten from your diet. Lactose intolerant? There's calcium in beans, salmon, orange juice and some types of soy, almond & rice milks. Don't think that because you are allergic to, or can't eat something, that you will consequently never be able to get/have what you've been told those things provide. I for one cannot eat red meat [I lack the necessary digestive enzymes, womp womp!], so I find iron, protein and Vitamins B & D elsewhere. 

6. Find an accountability partner! [Or 2! Or 5! You get it..] This applies to many areas of life - conquering anything is usually easier - and more fun - if you're not doing it alone. Find someone else to hold accountable, and to do the same for you. You'll both see gains, and you'll both find out what works for you that perhaps didn't work for the other, and likewise. 

I could go on. 

Nobody certified me to know that stuff. I don't have a degree in any version of nutritional science. I am not a doctor. 

BUT,

I've never had cavities. Until four years ago, I had never broken a single bone. I was born with excema, but have flares about once every 21 years [that's the average so far]. My hair is thick, my nails are strong, and my skin is smooth. I am physically capable of running and exercising. My vision is 20/15 [although sadly I think that's decreasing with prolonged computer usage at work :(... ]. And, as far as I know, my memory is still working the way it should ;).  I'm not trying to brag; My point is - I didn't eat processed foods growing up, and I try not to now. Don't think I never do, because that's just not true - I love pizza like fish love water. I've found though, that when I eat it, I usually feel sluggish for longer than I'd like afterwards. 

I bought this book several years back and loved every page. It's a short read, but direct and simple. 

love it, michael pollan!

Basically. :) 

Anyway, if I stay here much longer, this rant may never end. 

Tonight, Jessica and I made a run to WFM to pick up a few essentials for dinner at her place. We got to cooking: chicken, sweet potatoes, sauteed veggies, homemade guacamole and lemon water. It was incredible. Rob joined us, and we continued on our winning night to some Yahtzee. [When was the last time you played?] 

Here's what that looked like for Rob & Jessica: 

yahtzee 6's for rob | yahtzee 4's for jess! 

I struck out on this one, but it's been about 15 years since Rob played the game, so I didn't mind letting him beat me the first round. Haha. Jessica took both games [THIS TIME, Jess. THIS ONE TIME :p.. ], but we'll be back to battle it out. ;) 

Good friends. Good food. Good gaming. That's my kind of Tuesday! 

xo | cmd

Sunday IS a Funday (:

In usual fashion, Sunday mornings = Church!


hangin' with my love @ sonrise ♥

After church, we decided we wouldn't spend the rest of the day in the house like we did yesterday [albeit we were being productive, still......]. We decided to head to Kenwood. As it turns out, the mall-goers may in fact be more fearless in their parking endeavors than most. This, among many others, was a pretty common sight today:

look ma, no tire!

^ We captured that one just in case we returned to find my car smashed if/when they decided to pull back down off that little hill. A few rows over was a truck pulled so far up a bank that even Rob commented that it wasn't a good idea. It was a chaotic sight that surprisingly made the crowd inside the mall seem tame. Go figure.

I finally took back one of those I'll-eventually-get-around-to-returning-this-maybe-hopefully things and we spent the early afternoon perusing through the place at our leisure. We left with two pairs of jeans for Rob & a new pair of boots for me. I call that a splurge, but it probably could've been worse, too.. haha.

mission[s] accomplished!

And then.... we stopped by to visit Kalyn at work! - And, to eat, of course, because Main Street is the B-O-M-B.

perfect low-key sunday afternoon digs (:

dull moments? what are those?

I couldn't help but capture this guy on the way out, either:

#subienation, haha..

^ Here's to 2014 and our Subaru ownership, KP! Hah.

Rob and I wrapped up some more stuff around the house this evening, including the running of wires throughout the floors to hook up surround sound. Did I mention my man is a handy guy? This task in my hands would've had the whole house short circuited somehow. He's awesome, the house sounds awesome... it .. is.. awesome.

And even mooooore awesomerererrrr.. was us having a nice little nightcap with Kalyn & Co. once she was off work. She does, after all live about a whole 1.5 miles from our place, so the misery of a cold car was about the only complaint as we headed to and from.

it's a gramps growler kinda night!

Yeah. Gramps from a growler into Rhinegeist glasses & mason jars is definitely not the worst way to end a weekend. I had a feeling it would be a great couple of days; I'm not disappointed!

Work week, here we coooome....

xo | cmd

Smile. Life is Good.

Life is Good.

I feel like I haven't actually made that declaration lately, even though I absolutely know that it is. It's been stressful, but I can see the light at the end of the flux tunnel, and I'm bent on getting there.

 

I'm back now in a city that should feel more like home than it actually does [granted, I've only been back for a week now]. I'm away from a staff that was more of a family than a job, friends I love, and a boyfriend who is also my best friend and now my greatest source of long-distance moral support. Illinois is a chapter that is closed for now, and I'm back in Ohio where I will hopefully feel more at home very soon. All of that being said, I look at what I have - both here and there - and realize that my life is good. No no. It's GREAT.

 

My baby girl, my little mini-me, the pint-sized whirlwind that defines my every move: She is healthy, happy, loved by both myself and her dad, even separately. She's smart, kind and discovering her way in this world. I'm back here for her, for the moments like these that I will hold onto forever. I'm here because I'm a mother and there is nothing in this world stronger than the bond between a mother and her child. Nothing. You know that smile - the one that starts in your gut, tingles up your spine, gives you goosebumps and makes your ears tingle before it lights up your entire face? That's the one I get from her, even thinking about the time I'll now have again with my daughter, my carbon copy, my pride and joy. I found these from a mini-shoot we did snuggled in bed one morning a few months back....

♥ this little girl... the best thing that's ever happened to me. ever.

I've been doing better, too, about not falling apart over the people I left back in Illinois, specifically my close friends and of course, Rob. I've said it before but I'll say it one more time for the sake of repetition: I really haven't ever been so in-sync with someone. I'm comfortable with him on a level that I never had, with anyone. I trust him, not only where fidelity could be questioned, but I honestly trust him... with my emotions, with my time, and with my deepest thoughts, goals and fears. We were friends - just friends - long before anything more than that, and I know that no matter what happens now that I'm here and he's there - our friendship wasn't skin-deep, and it won't ever go away. There's no real way to accurately show him how much I appreciate him, but I'll try until he gets it ;)

simple things that make me smile ♥

I wouldn't be sane, grounded or lifted if it weren't for some of my friends, either. Yes, there's a handful of other people [family, other friends] who deserve accolades where support is concerned, but today, I'm specifically grateful for four very different but truly incredible women, who have been there for me when I needed it the most and probably wanted it the least. ;) Through everything that has transpired in the last two years, I never doubted - not even once - that these women would be there at the drop of a dime for anything from a weekend refuge to just a shoulder or an ear. They didn't question or judge, but made sure I knew I had a soft place to land when chaos set in. I am indebted to each of them, in different but equal ways. Thank you. You don't know how grateful I am for you. From Arizona [Kalyn] to Illinois [Ali] and back here in Cincinnati [Becky & Catie], I love you, friends and I appreciate you!!

kalyn. becky. ali. catie.
every girl deserves to have friends like these.

And on a continous note, the housing search continued this evening, with a trip out to Mariemont/Fairfax with Becky to scout out a property [CList, Zillow & Realtor.com have gotten a workout these past few weeks!]. I'm very happy to report that I feel hopeful about this. Whether or not this materializes into the one, I think I like it and it went well with the landlord, so I was left feeling refreshed, after the last few weeks of dry leads. If I do end up moving, I'll show you a picture then ;)

After the viewing, it was off to Eastgate, where I picked up a steal I'd found on the ever-reliable Craigslist = new tent! My philosophy is that you can't really ever have too many tents, especially when it's a 4-person and you paid $30 for it. WINNING (: 

iiiiit's camping time! (:

Since we were already in the Eastgate area, I took Becky for her first visit at the Main Street Cafe in Newtown. Three words: Sweet Potato Fries. Oh, and two more accompanying words: Calypso Sauce. You know exactly what I mean if you've ever been there. Newtown itself is a cute little area, which reminded me that somewhere nestled in it, is a local retailer that sells spoon rings and other various knick knacks. I made a note to myself to find it again and make a visit. In due time.....

Meanwhile, outside Mainstreet Cafe there was a very worn entrance into a wooded area, which we couldn't help but explore. I'd gone straight from work to run all of these errands, so I was still fully disguised as the business-casual version of myself as we embarked on a mini-hike through some foliage. We found everything from a run-down metal storage shed alone in a clearing to a 4-hours cul-de-sac on the other side of the trails. Nothing spectacular, but fun for some curious people like us.

yep!

From there, we finally made our way back to Northside and settled in for the night. We started looking into some ideas for camping this weekend; it's a long weekend and supposedly going to be beautiful. I'm pretty excited, so we'll see what turns up. For now... it's past my bedtime (:

xo | cmd

Day 7: Tee. Gee. Eye. EFF.

What a Friday!
Moreno diet:
Breakfast: check. Lunch: check. Dinner: half check.

Rewind, and let me take a moment to say,

"THANK HEAVENS IT. IS. OVER!!!!!"

what, the diet?

no.
So here's a true story:

On Monday of this week, I received a phone call from my best friend's boyfriend. He currently lives out of state and had one of those area codes you're wary to answer because you don't recognize it. I did answer though, and found out he was planning a surprise visit to see her this weekend. I then found out she already had an obligation for Saturday, and it was basically my responsibility to create an excuse legit enough for her to become available for the weekend. He would be flying into town on Friday [today] and I was to then have a controlled circumstance arranged for the big surprise.........

Right.

Sooo.. on the fly, I recruited the help of another good friend and created a "private charity mission" that included a brief yet specifically timed Florence, KY pitstop for my best friend's favorite -- and I mean, fa-vor-ite artist, the one and only Ms. Alison Krauss. Oh yeah, we included Jerry Douglas and the cast of Union Station in that package, too. [[What was I thinking? I don't know.]]

Long story short, for the last four days, I have been on pins and needles with a knot in my stomach because of the elaborate lie under which I'd been living with my accomplices. I'm not big on lying, especially to my best friend, about meeting her favorite artist, ever. Holy cow. So anywho- on Monday she thought she would meet Alison Krauss that weekend. On Wednesday we broke news that the 'plans' had changed [aka, meeting cancelled]. On Friday, I again had to fib my way into the absolutely security of a dinner appointment with 4 chairs for just her and I. At this point, I'm sweating bullets. And then....



kp & sam | ♥



You can't read that note, but it read simply, "Surprise Kalyn!" was delivered to our table by our server, and couldn't have been more timely.

Needless to say, day 7 was lightly spoiled. I say lightly because while we ordered edamame, I followed that with half an edamame grilled cheese and some sweet potato fries. We. Had. To. Call it extinuating circumstances. I'll run them off. Promise.

After dinner, I drove home to rendezvous with my incredible husband, who'd driven that 6 hour stretch from IL to OH to spend the weekend with his family.

Weekend, weekend, here we go!!

xo | cmd