Despite a few blips in the schedule radar due to weather and transportation issues, our bathroom contractors gave us exactly what we needed with the final grout, fixtures, and drywall work. Also had another consultant stop by and spec out the new shower door, leaving us with a handy shower rod and curtain to use temporarily until final door installation. With all of this progress complete, we’re ready to apply a fresh coat of paint to cover the goldenrod left behind on the walls, this time with something more grayish-colored to match the new design palette. NEXT UP: New vanity, sink, and wall cabinet… and maybe some replacement towel and toilet roll fixtures.

The same day I posted that initial blog about our bathroom remodel, the Omaha metro area suffered the most horrific devastation imaginable as the result of a historic wind storm. Fortunately, our bathroom contractors soldiered on and continued installing beautiful porcelain tile, as seen in the images below. Thankfully (and shockingly), we were mostly just impacted by the external damage of minor tree limbs and roof shingles, as well as a water main break resulting in less than 4 hours of no running water. So the project continued on track with only a small blip in the originally scheduled contract radar. Next up: Grouting, fixtures, and waiting for countertop & cabinet.

Since remodeling our kitchen a couple of years ago, we always knew the primary bathroom would be next up on our list for renovation. So after a brief conversation bringing the idea back to the forefront of our home improvement plans, we got the ball rolling by reaching out to our rockstar contractors who were ready and willing to make the dream happen. And so here is the start of our latest home remodel project in photo gallery form as I document the exciting progress in real time.
​So. EXCITED!

What started as a WFH day with my BFAW (“Best Friend at Work”) on a TGIF abruptly morphed into a Tornado Emergency with my favorite weather team alongside communication with family via SnapChat. And now, after all is said and done, I am beyond SHOOK as I realize, shockingly, how my little house in the ‘burbs survived tornadic destruction by way of some sort of bubble within the Omadome. Now, as cleanup continues way too close to home, the everyday nuances of life seem so much more precious than they did only a few short days ago, and I’m left with a new perspective… both good and bad of life in this crazy world and how it can change unexpectedly within just seconds. Holding my loved ones so much tighter and closer while keeping an eye over my shoulder for more unexpectedness.

Feeling ready and willing to take on the world after earning my Master of Science in Analytics from Creighton University. LET’S GO!

This spectacular photo gallery of my latest visit spending time with my amazing folks in Rio Rancho barely scratches the surface of the sparkly fun we enjoyed on a chillier-than-usual week of March. From breaking bread at a favorite Italian restaurant, to motorcycling through the Petroglyph National Monument, to working on Mister Bighead’s book of puzzles discovered while on a grocery trip to Costco, selfies only captured a smidgeon of the good times shared in ever-enchanting New Mexico. Always a good time hanging with beloved family, and this visit was no exception to the rule by any stretch of the imagination.

… of this furry little creature who has captured my heart and soul, shown here via my beloved Nikon camera. Now if only I can keep him from eating inedible items like: my workout bench seat cushion, iPhone charging cables, as well as earbud wires, then we’ll all be happy - including the veterinarian warning him of potential intestinal blockages.

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:

That whole “time flies when you’re having fun” is my personal motto these days, although fun doesn’t look like your ordinary run-of-the-mill fun time. Why? Because I’m back in Graduate School, this time studying to earn my Master of Science in Analytics from Creighton University. In fact, I loved being a Creighton student so much back in the day that I decided to pursue my long lost dream of completing a masters program, thus venturing out to check another much-wished-for item off my Bucket List. And yes, so far I am definitely figuring this big adventure thing out.

After being isolated at home for over a year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I finally embarked on that much needed vacation to visit and explore with my beloved family in the desert, forests, and mountains for excitement and good old bonding time. And as captured in the above photo gallery, not only did we enjoy some serious adventures, but we also had an absolute BLAST making it all happen. From hiking and biking in the Sandia Mountains, to testing our aim at the shooting range, to marveling at the picturesque Rio Rancho view complete with lizard and hummingbird life, to chowing down on the deliciously mouth-watering local cuisine (Italian AND Southwestern), we could NOT get enough of all the sweetness enjoyed with one another in that magical state called New Mexico.

Now the question remains: WHEN CAN WE DO ALL OF THIS AGAIN?