With tonight being the official move-OUT date of the oldest and move-BACK-IN date of the youngest, Half-Empty Nest is the new family status. So I'm calling this a SUCCESS on everyone's part and popping open a bottle of my favorite white wine in celebration of the aforementioned events, because after all of the laundry-doing and box-unpacking today, red wine will just give me a big headache and make me fall asleep before finishing tonight's Netflix repeat of Friends.

By far, this week will be an epic one in the way of milestones with one peepster leaving the nest and another heading back into it, simultaneously. So I'm trying to stay light-hearted with thoughts of TV-watching in the "fort" created amidst all of the moving stuff piled up throughout the homestead, definitely not an easy task for certain neat freak types. *cough*

The recent destructive fire that mauled the Notre-Dame Cathedral drew me back into my photo archives to revisit the City of Lights, only this time with Notre-Dame mostly intact  - scaffolding stood next to the side of the church where work was taking place during my visit. And I have a feeling the vow to rebuild will become a reality, especially with so many generous donors coming out of the woodwork. Still... very sad this even had to happen.

Robert Downey Jr. personifies the emotions I'm experiencing on the week of my 1-year anniversary of being made redundant employment-wise, particularly as I celebrate the newest opportunity where my presence is actually wanted and needed. And again, I'm reminded of a certain phrase my dear Mom used to say (and probably still does, to this day)...

Onward and upward.

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.

When Beauty Brands decided to shut down the Village Pointe salon due to bankruptcy and leave my favorite Rock Star Stylist without a job, I crazily worried myself about where and how I'd be obtaining service for my styling needs. But alas... Rock Star Stylist landed a position at a new salon located even closer to my home and even fancier than the previous salon site! So here I am with freshened up highlights and a sharp blunt haircut feeling amazing as ever and ready to take on the world once again.

​CRISIS AVERTED.

... the first slide about the oldest turning 22 years old, anyway. Eating at Olive Garden to celebrate the occasion and licking our plates clean?  COMPLETELY POSSIBLE.

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*

This is my Big City view as I walk to and from my covered parking garage every day, and seeing it all gives me that uptown-chic kind of vibe as I go. I mean, how can you ever get enough of this awesome sight? Must say a slight jolt of electricity hits me every time I take in this view while walking around downtown Omaha, and then I shake my head in disbelief at how crazily scary it all felt just 4 short months ago. Who knew living the career dream could rise up out of nothing so unexpectedly? Feeling blessed and grateful that it did, just in time to save me from living in hermit mode for the rest of my adult years.

*sniffs back tears of happiness*