The Mighty Missouri

Last week marked Mike's last week in Omaha before moving to St Cloud (more to come later on that). Conveniently, I had four days off work and he was done with work for those four days. We had a lot of time to hang out, see friends, make dinners, and of course watch the NBA finals. But one of those evening was reserved for dinner with Fr. Hauser and a surprise date. 


Mike did let the cat out of the bag of what the date was before that evening, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. Thanks to Groupon, we went on the River City Star, a riverboat cruise of the Missouri River that flows on the east side of Omaha. We got to see the remnants of the flood damage, in addition to seeing the riverfront from a whole new perspective. It was a fun evening, and the weather couldn't have been much better. What a fun night on the river!

Debt-Free is the Way to Be

When I started college, I knew I'd be paying off my loans for years. Years. I certainly thought it would a good ten years. But four years and two weeks after graduating college, my student loans are officially, 100% gone. 


I have worked really hard in the past few years to pay off my debt as quickly as I could. I just couldn't stand paying more in interest than I was paying on the loan itself. I paid off my car, my braces, and now my student loans all in the past year. And let me tell you: that is a wonderful feeling. 


Now, any money I make is ALL MINE!!


I thought maybe I would have a big last-statement-burning party, but alas.. the celebration included Mike and I sitting on the floor of my un-furnished apartment in our sweats, me with a glass of wine in hand. Quite the celebration, if I do say so myself!

Goodbye Laramie, Hello Omaha

My oh my, are we a little behind on the times, or what??


It's been a whirlwind in the past couple weeks, but an enjoyable whirlwind at that. My last week in Laramie (now two weeks ago) was very bittersweet. It was a great last week there. We had a lunch party to celebrate my last week and another get-together one evening. The oncologist said to me "Look how excited we are that you are leaving; we're having a party!" I don't think they were so much excited that I was leaving, after reading the very sweet card they all signed for me. I got some fabulous gifts from my coworkers and patients, and there were even tears shed as I was leaving on my last day. I made some really great friends during my three months in Laramie, and I feel very fortunate that I was giving the opportunity to work there. Even though I was bummed when I was driving from Florida to Wyoming in January, I think it really worked out for the best.


My mom flew into Laramie to drive back home with me. We had a great drive -- the weather was perfect and we had a lot of fun catching up. I spent that weekend in Corning visiting family and enjoying HOME. 


Since then, it has been great being back in Omaha. I have caught up with many of the friends I've been missing and I'm getting back into the groove at work. I'm not sure how I feel about working 12 hour shifts and weekends again.. I think I was a little spoiled with a Monday thru Friday, 8 to 5 job. It was great! But I'm starting to get used to it again.

I'm currently living on my brother's couch (again) -- Thanks Brother! -- until I move into my own apartment in a week. It will be much closer to work, which will be really nice. 


Wedding plans have been progressing a little more in the past week. We now have a DJ and we're working on choosing a photographer. But with a facility, food, drinks, and a DJ all booked, I'd say we're ready to party :) 


I think that's about all that's been going on in the past couple weeks. 
I hope all is well with you!
Now, onto my To-Do list....

Laramie: Week 11

That's right... you get a double feature this week!  


Only a couple weeks left here in Laramie, which seems crazy. So I'm trying to live up the last of my time here--going to dinner with some of my new friends; that sort of thing. Nothing much new at work this week. We've been experiencing the anticipation & dread of them being short-staffed and trying to find solutions, and enjoying the last of the well-staffed weeks they'll have for a bit. 


This weekend was a great one. And I mean GREAT! I got to enjoy a weekend back in Omaha, and though it was a very quick 36-hour trip home, it was well worth it and I enjoyed every minute. I went home primarily for Easter vigil, but I got to enjoy some fantastic friends and family time while there.


As you probably know, I've been taking RCIA classes for the past few months and the culmination of that is the Easter vigil, at which the RCIA candidates are confirmed into the Catholic church. It was kind of strange to me, because I was confirmed into the Presbyterian church when I was in Jr High, so it wasn't really something completely new to me. But it was definitely different than that. I learned a lot in the process--about myself, about the church, and dispelled many of my judgement. It was a great process, and the Easter vigil was a beautiful thing. Long, but beautiful. And.... I got a snack during church :) hahah


My mom and stepdad came to town for the day and for the mass, and Mike's parents came for the weekend and the mass. And yes, they all met each other at dinner Saturday evening! They had never bet before and it went very well -- at least I think they all liked each other :)
And then my dad and his lady-friend came to town Sunday for brunch, at which they met Mike's parents for the first time as well. Also a great time! So it's official:  everyone has met before the wedding!


This weekend I was also honored to have been asked to take photos for a friend's little guy's first birthday party. I'm not sure I'm qualified to do so, but it was great fun! I got some great shots and it was a very fun afternoon. I'm still working on editing them, but I'll give you a little sneak peak soon (provided I have internet again).


There wasn't much more time in the weekend, but I snuck in a coffee date with my bestie and her little guy (my godson! who is crawling now!), and a lunch date with my old roomie and her hubby. It was great to see all of them, and I look forward to more time with them in a few short weeks.


To all my friends and family:  I miss you, I love you, and I'll see you soon!

Laramie: Week 10

Where the HEY have I been??


Actually I've had a technical difficulty:  No Internet.


And let me tell you, that's a real beast these days. So bear with me while I catch up up to speed.


Work has been pretty much the same. Savin' lives:  pumpin' people full of toxic chemo and then trying to get them to feel better. It's actually been tough to see some of these people be so sick lately -- lots of dehydration  (for reasons that maybe you can imagine, but that I won't talk about) and feeling realllllyyyy lousy. It makes me appreciate my health, I'll tell you that much. They've also realized that they're going to be extremely short-staffed in the infusion room once I leave, which is making me feel a little bad about leaving. I'd love to stay a few more weeks, but I really do have to get back to Bergan.


But aside from work and sickness and all that... the weekend. The fun!
I headed to Denver for the weekend. I spent some time with some long-lost college friends, did a little shopping, got a much-needed pedicure, ran into some unexpected old friends, watched the KU basketball game at a very packed KU bar, and had some very fun girl time. It was a great last weekend in Denver!

Kim, Anne, and I in downtown Denver on Friday

Kim & I with some of her work friends watching the KU game

What a fun weekend it was. Gotta love old friends & girl time!

Laramie: Week 9

Less than a month left! I have four weeks left of work and no more weekends in town. It's crazy that it's coming so close to an end, but I am beyond excited to be back in Omaha. The good news:  I'll be back in less than two weeks! Not for long, but I'll take what I can get.


I already told you about the Bunco night with everyone from work-- that was probably the most exciting part of the week. It was fun to spend some time with everyone outside of the work setting and to get to know the "real" them. And of course a variety of hors d'oeuvres always make things fun!


Saturday night I went out with a friend from work and some of her friends. There was a live band playing which was great fun, and there was a theme party there so everyone was dressed quite silly. It kind of took me back to Gamma Phi days!


This morning was another highlight of the week. I discovered a national food cooperative which is probably my new favorite thing. It's called Bountiful Baskets, and it's even available in Omaha! Every two weeks the truck delivers pounds of fresh produce and fresh bread, and it's all at a great price! I got so much produce there is no.way I would have been able to use all the produce myself, so I'm sharing my goods with a girl from work. Even after we split everything I still had more than enough. Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to make with all of this produce!

pears, bananas, pineapple, yellow honeydew melon, 

green onions, asparagus, romaine lettuce...

cauliflower, apples, cherry tomatoes, green beans...

onions, garlic, green chiles, avocados, limes, tomatillos, cilantro...

and seven dozen freshly made corn and flour tortillas.

Wowza. You know you want to check it out and find out if a truck delivers near you. So just because I like you, here's there website http://bountifulbaskets.org/ Check it out, and start living a more healthy, produce-filled life!

7-Layer Taco Dip

It's been quite a while since I posted anything besides a run-down of my Laramie adventures. So I thought maybe it was time to spice things up a bit. Here it is: a bonus post this week. 


The Cancer Center staff had planned a Bunco night as a fundraiser for their Relay for Life team. I had no.clue how to play, but they assured me that it was brainless enough that it would be fun and easy to learn. Everyone was to bring an hors d'oeuvre to share. However, my kitchen supplies here are quite limited, and I didn't want to go buy a bunch of supplies. And of course I had to take something that was meat-less.


So after chatting about it at work on Thursday, one of my patient's daughters gave me a fool-proof 7-layer taco dip recipe that she said has gotten rave reviews time and again. Sounded great to me!


Here are the layers, in order from top to bottom:

Black Olives
Shredded Mexican Cheese
Lettuce & Tomatoes
Guacamole
Chunky Salsa
Sour Cream
Refried Beans


It was quick & easy to put together, it kept well in the refrigerator overnight, and it was delicious! I served it with my favorite tortilla chips, and it was a hit!


You could also make this in a low-fat version, using low-fat sour cream, fat-free refried beans, and 2% cheese. I have a feeling it would be just as delicious!

Bunco was very easy to pick up and we all had a great time. We even raised $200 for Relay for Life in one fun and entertaining night!