Muddy Buddies

Last weekend a couple fabulous friends and I decided quite spur of the moment to do the Mud Run'11. I didn't really know what we were getting into until the drive there.

The run was a 3 1/2 mile off-road course with three mud pits, a giant slip-n-slide, obstacles to jump over, and creeks to cross.

But it wasn't a solo race. We did the "Worm Race", in which three team members are tethered together with a 16ft bungee cord. If one person falls, all three fall. If one goes over the obstacle, all three go under.

It was quite an adventure. We didn't win any awards and I don't have an 'after' picture, but you can see the 'before'. Oh yes, and there was a costume contest. Clearly.

link

Destination: Wedding

Not mine! But a wedding. At a particular destination.

link

In a few short weeks, we'll be attending the second-to-last wedding of the year. My task yesterday (while Mike was being responsible and working) was to book flights and a hotel for the wedding weekend. Where are we headed? NEW YORK!

One of Mike's good friends (we shall call him G--for Groom) from high school is getting married in West Point, NY to his very lovely lady, B (for Bride--get it?). I met these two when Mike and I traveled to New York two years ago (I think?) for G's graduation from the Military Academy in West Point. Since then, G has served a tour overseas, B has begun med school and planned a wedding, and they have together sustained an overseas relationship. I just can't imagine. What a wonderful couple.

Anyway, Mike put me on the task of making said reservations. After hours of searching I finally decided on acceptable (direct!) flights and a nice-but-affordable hotel. I don't think my credit card liked the whole process... but it's free til next month, right?!

So I sit. And wait. For October to come. I'm enjoying life in the meantime, but I'm super excited for this NY vaycay. Flying halfway across the country with the handsome Mikey, seeing New York sights, and attending a beautiful wedding. Sounds fun to me! Maybe we'll just miss our return flight....

Or maybe I just didn't book them!

link

Where in the world is… me?

Some days I wonder where I belong. Figuratively, but also literally. Figuratively: where do I fit in? What am I supposed to be doing? I am a nurse, and I love that. I love doing what I do, caring for people in their most vulnerable times, and making a difference in people’s lives. But do I belong in oncology? Or do I switch to ICU, the NICU, or an office? Grad school? I just don’t know. And literally: where do I go from here? My work contract and my apartment lease are both up this month. Coincidence? I’m really a free agent. Do I stay in Omaha, or do I try travel nursing for a while? Do I move somewhere new and different? I'm trying to figure it out.

Lately it seems like all my friends are figuring their lives out. They’re getting married, expanding their families, and moving fun and new places. Where does that leave me? It lets me live vicariously through them—and let me tell you, I really do enjoy that! But I still need to figure out me. Figure out where to plant my feet and let my roots grow.

These are (seemingly) huge life questions, and ultimately they’re up to me. But if you know me, you know I’m not good at decisions such as these. I’m thinking maybe I’ll put all my options on a slip of paper and draw one out of a hat. Or spin a wheel.

Legitimate means of making a decision? Maybe not.

Where do my roots belong?
Stay tuned for an update and I'll let you know what's next....

random picture, i know.
but i'm intrigued by the new mushrooms growing outside of my apartment each morning.

Movin' On Up

When I moved into this apartment, I didn't really think it would become home. But three years later, that's just what it has become. 

My roommate Molly has been a permanent fixture in my life for the past three years. Coming home to her every day has been a blessing, and I can't help but admit a little jealousy that Dave will get this for many years to come. Molly knows how to make me laugh, she knows what foods I like, and she knows how to get me to the gym. I truly couldn't have asked for a better roommate to transition me into my "big girl" life.

So as I'm packing up all my belongings and trying to figure out where they'll be in two weeks, I want to thank you Molly, for being such a wonderful roommate. Thank you for being you. And thank you for helping me be me.

Two Become One

As wedding season comes to a close, the weddings-to-be-attended list is dwindling. At least for this year. I think my bank account is secretly happy about this.

Steve and Michelle, both of whom I know from our years at Creighton, got married in Minnesota. It was a beautiful wedding of two beautiful people.

As always, it was ah-mazing to have a good majority of my college friends in once place again. They traveled from all across the country to attend, and it was another memorable weekend.

I didn't capture a lot of the decor, but here are some of the highlights of the weekend.


The wedding ceremony at the Basilica

 

The Reception, at a country club somewhere in the Twin City-ish area

 

I caught Miche's bouquet, and here's what ensued.

If you know Mikey, I'm sure you can create your own captions...

As you can probably guess, it started with "WHOA! WHAT? NO!"

and ended with him giving the bouquet to a little girl who was walking past.

And this is how the night ended. A definite success.

Congrats to Michelle and Steve.

Thank you for a memorable weekend,

and wishing you all the best in your marriage!

The Fruits of Labor

As the Nebraska summer carries on, we are left with blazing heat and tortuous humidity. And vegetables fresh out of the garden.

We have enjoyed many meals with these fresh ingredients, and there are many more to come.

Compared with produce bought from the grocery store, these flavors are richer and the textures more varied. The shelf-life isn't as long with these, but it leaves me with peace of mind knowing they aren't filled with chemicals and preservatives.

I hope your gardens are just as fruitful (uh, vegetable-ful?).

Cupcake Delivery

Between four days in Florida and four in Minnesota, I worked 40 hours and baked 3 dozen cupcakes... in a 3-day period.

Who needs sleep anyway?

A friend asked me a couple weeks ago if I'd make cupcakes for a meeting she was hosting. Absolutely! She didn't have any flavor or decor requests, so she got my favorites. I boxed them up real cute and delivered them. At 6am. I'm so glad someone else has as weird of hours as me. No wonder my bedtime is 9:30pm.

But despite the time crunch and the early delivery, they still got rave reviews.

"Hey Amy! Just wanted to let you know that your cupcakes were a HUGE hit!! Everyone loved them!! Their fav flavor was the pink lemonade!! ... Next time I'll have to order more.  Since there weren't leftovers my poor husband didn't get one."

Buy your stock now.

It's the beginning of a booming business.