Visiting Melissa

After breakfast on Sunday morning, we headed out from Columbus to Cincinnati. We got to Melissa's around noon. It was so good to see her. The last time we got to visit was the end of last October, so it was a reunion of sorts for us. We sat around and just caught up for about an hour or so, before her sister, Sherry, arrived. After catching up with Sherry, we were headed out to see something of a religious monument. Melissa and Sherry just couldn't stop talking about it. It is a HUGE paper mache' Jesus that has been constructed by a local church there. It is so big, that it can be seen by traffic passing on the interstate. Melissa and Sherry said that it was such a sight to behold, that it was causing wrecks on the interestate and nearby streets. Of course, Casey and I just HAD to see it, so we were off. After about a 15 minute drive, it was finally revealed to us.

This thing is so big that in the picture you can see how it looms high above the roof of the church. There was a little amphitheatre in front of it, with a nice little pond and walking path in front of it. There were gardens, benches, and lots of ducks and geese there. Casey took lots of pictures as we were walking the path.

Sherry, me, and Melissa in front of the paper mache' Jesus.

After our visit with the paper mache' Jesus, we headed to Melissa's grandmother's house for a big family cookout. I finally got to meet the family that I'd heard so much about over the years. We met Melissa's grandmother, great grandmother and grandfather, her aunts, her mother and her fiance', and her uncle. They were all such warm, friendly, wonderful people. The food was fantastic, and the company was even better! When we finished eating, it was time for the great Cornhole tournament. Now before you all go off and make some terrible remarks, it's a bean bag game.

The object is to toss a bean bag (full of corn) into a hole in a slanted, wooden board. On the board is 1 point and through the hole is 3 points. I never got one through, but I always got close..."but no cigar". Casey, however, was quite good at it. Melissa and Sherry reigned as team champions. Late that afternoon, it was time to tell everyone goodbye and head back to Mel's place. On our way, Mel called one of her friends, Josie, to come by and join us. We spent the rest of the evening sitting out on Mel's patio talking, drinking wine, and eating chips and salsa. It was wonderful just to relax and visit. Josie is a great girl, and a whole lotta fun. Casey, who was surrounded by women, fit right in. We had some REALLY interesting conversations. Around 11:00, Sherry and Josie headed home, and me, Mel, and Casey went back inside. Mel had bought us a delectable treat, Graeter's Ice Cream! Folks, this is some of the BEST ice cream that I've ever had. Melissa introduced us to Greater's on our first visit, and we've been hooked ever since. After a HUGE bowl of mint chocolate chip and much satisfaction, I called it a night.

On Monday Mel had grad classes, but we had time for lunch. So, we went to another favorite place of ours, Skyline Chili. Here's a couple of shots Casey took, while we were there.

After a good meal and some very sad goodbyes we saw Melissa off to class, and we headed for home. All in all, it was such a WONDERFUL trip and a much needed break. I just can't wait to go again! Everyone have a good weekend!