In the past 12 months since my last blog post, I've been doing just that - figuring it all out. And what exactly is it that I've been figuring out? All of these things and MORE:

• Completing an entire year of Grad Studies at Creighton University
• Family summer travel to St. Petersburg, Florida - thankfully, before the latest hurricane attempted to disrupt what will forever be warm fuzzy memories of Treasure Island and Tampa Bay, complete with frolic, fun, and adventure
• Continuing my technology career working as a Software Developer (in "hybrid form") with the Best Team in the Entire Universe at GALLUP, the Best Company for Which to Work
• Becoming a glorified Empty Nester, and then not. To be continued with a happy ending.

And with that, I close this blog post with one of those aforementioned warm fuzzy memories, minus any hurricane activity:

Ever since Friday, March 13th 2020, I've been working from the comfort of home rather than from the beloved riverfront office, and I've crunched out more development work than ever before thanks to the lack of commute time. Finally coming up for air, I am now able to acknowledge how much I love knowing my actions are making a difference to my employer and are appreciated by a multitude of people world-wide. And fortunately, all of this virtual work has been a serious distraction from the negativity involved in being self isolated due to the COVID-19 Pandemic sweeping across the planet. Feeling incredibly grateful for technology keeping me in touch with my work and family teams whom I could not make it through each and every day without. Meanwhile, I'm sharing the love received from Mother's Day, another bright spot in my newfound isolationess.

Applause in my heart and soul tonight as I celebrate the 6-month anniversary of my Software Development career at GALLUP. Just seeing these smiling Friends faces happily clapping in the window just reminds me of how I feel being greeted by such amazingly talented and intelligent teammates each day, making me realize how very blessed I am to work amongst greatness. And I cannot even believe it has been 6 WHOLE MONTHS since the journey began. Time really flies when you're having fun, and I'm definitely having the time of my life using my God-given talents each day in a place where I love to be.

Lately, this is how I'm feeling about how things are going both on the home and work-fronts.

SO COMPLETELY KILLING IT.

...this is how I'm feeling after a super amazingly totally unexpected first day of the week:

... but thanks to Target's abundant stash of spirits, at least there's wine to drink.
​(Shameless poem reference there.)

But seriously, really hoping my amazing new office continues to stay above water so I can do my new job sans scuba gear.

Me after 1.5 weeks into my new role with the best employer on earth.

First week in my new role at this new amazing corporation, and I must say that I have completely fallen head over heels in love with this place and everything about it.

Dream Job? CHECK.

Pictured above is the memory I want to freeze in my mind of this time in my life last year, when I was ecstatic about playing a round of tennis on the College of Saint Mary tennis courts, thus making use of my wellness benefit while bonding with my fellow IT'ers. Little did I know that less than 24 hours after taking this blessed selfie I would be completely blindsided as my job was eliminated and then was escorted to my car, all within 30 minutes of arriving to work. So even as I strive to maintain this memory in all of its bright happiness, I have to admit feeling nauseous about the aftermath I was left to face over the past year. And while I know I'm in a better place at the moment, the anguish of it all is still painfully fresh.

Thinking it's time to get back on the court with my people... ball-pounding time is way overdue.

Today I went Tower Exploring and discovered this gem called THE 16TH FLOOR. And what do you know - there I found this amazing view along with vending machines stocked with all kinds of sweet/salty snacks, multiple microwaves, and sitting areas with booths, barstools, bars, and lounging chairs that were comfy as heck. So as I left that floor wondering, why hasn't anyone informed me of this oasis in all of my 4 months of employment? I finally realized...

Yup, perfect daily escape. *shhh*