Let me first begin this post by acknowledging that I am a most dreadful blogger these days. When life gets extra hectic, the first thing to go are my hobbies (the few that actually exist-ha!). So, please forgive my lack of posting for the last month. Prep work for DNOW has consumed much of my evenings and my weekends have been spent either catching up on housework, spending time with family, or traveling with my bestie....which brings me to my topic for this post:
Spring Break 2011.
I know, I'm not a student. I know, I don't get a spring break.... but I took a few days off this past week to enjoy a spring break adventure/celebration with my best, Rachel. Tuesday after work I drove up to Lawrence where Rachel abides and is finishing up her Master's in Counseling (so proud of her, btw!). We had intentions of heading north--waaaayyyy north--Wednesday morning to the Mall of America, but got vetoed by the massive amounts of snow they received last week. (Boo, snow!) However, we made the best of our time together anyway. With our plans thrown to the wind, we decided not to make a new one. The better part of Wednesday morning we spent in verbal vomit. It'd been since before Christmas that we'd last been together in the flesh, so, needless to say, we had much to catch up on. I have to admit, I had no idea how tightly wound I was until my sweet friend found my string and gave it an ever-so-gentle TUG. (She's really good for me. Do you have a friend like that? Someone who can pinpoint what's driving you mad and isn't afraid to call you out on it--honestly, but in love? I hope you do.) Anyway, one thing led to another, and we hashed through some pretty deep issues, some of which (for me) may have never seen the light of day. What a way to start a spring break, eh? :)
Anyway....Wednesday afternoon we ventured out to The Legends for some shopping. We stumbled upon a perfect bridesmaid dress for me to wear in Rachel's wedding, that just so happened to be going on sale the next day, which was a perfect start to our shopping escapades! While at The Legends, we met up with some of Rachel's fiance's family and shared fun conversation and appetizers together, which we then followed with some more shopping and then sushi (our signature!) back in Lawrence. All in all, Wednesday was super satisfying! :)
Thursday morning came a little early as we decided Wednesday night to take a little road trip to what we affectionately refer to as "The Neb." Rachel's fiance is from Nebraska, as is my mom's. So, we jogged on up to Lincoln via the 2 lane country highway that runs from Lawrence to Lincoln. Thankfully, the company was not nearly as boring as the landscape (despite its soothing open spaces). I think every so often my soul just longs to get lost in one of those vast prairies, just to escape and hide in some solitude. I probably should honor that at some point. Hmm.. In Lincoln we met up with my mom and enjoyed a late lunch at Village Inn. I'm just saying, Mom's Nutella crepes were TDF! (That's "to die for" for all of you not up to snuff on abbreves...hee hee.) My banana walnut pancakes weren't anything to complain about either. Seriously, can you go wrong with a heavy carb meal? After lunch we visited my Grandma in her new assisted living apartment. I didn't realize how badly I needed to see her until I hugged her. I love that woman. We so enjoyed visiting with her. Her sass was in rare form and quite the entertainment. For dinner on Thursday we met up with Rachel's soon to be sister-in-law at the Olive Garden. Again, YUM. And again, CARBS. Once we had satisfactorily stuffed ourselves with pasta, salad, and breadsticks, we walked over to the mall in search of hot pink heels for the Rachel's bridesmaids. We had no luck with the heels, but did happen upon some pretty rockin' prom dresses that screamed our names so loudly we had to don them temporarily. Following our catwalk debut, we emphatically decided it was time to consume more calories, so we followed our noses to the nearest Starbucks, and then, the nearest Redbox. (Did I mention it was SNOWING in Lincoln on Thursday and Friday?! Crazy!) For the record, "Life As We Know It" comes highly recommended from these besties.
Friday brought more visiting with Grandma and a day trip to Omaha to visit my Uncle Dave in the hospital there. Uncle Dave survived a pretty insane ATV accident three years ago (check out his story here), but recently was admitted to the hospital with some significant issues. It was good to see him; as selfish as it is, he is so encouraging, even in the midst of his great pain and illness. I know that God is really using him in mighty ways. At the hospital, we picked up my cousin, Jiree, and headed for a nearby Omaha mall, again seeking hot pink heels. Again, we had no luck, but did enjoy some good laughs together. We loaded up and then headed back to Lincoln for dinner with Mom and Uncle Doug and Aunt Cindy, who were fabulous (last minute) hosts for the weekend.
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y meant more driving....this time back to Lawrence, and then back to Springfield for me. However, you better believe we didn't make it more than an hour outside of Lincoln before we stopped for a shopping break. Gotta love the Neb City outlet mall! :) Then, since the BCBG bridesmaid dress was on sale for the weekend, we made a quick stop (again) at The Legends before pulling into Lawrence. For lunch on Saturday, per my request, we dined at what may be my newest favorite restaurant: Esquina. They have the most unique and delish tacos I've ever tasted. My fave is the Pastor taco: shredded pork, pineapple salsa, cabbage, pumpkin seeds, and pureed pumpkin. Seriously, it's like heaven for my taste buds. Despite being filled to the brim with unfathomably good food, we of course jogged (not literally) over to 3 Spoons for some fro-yo before finishing up our spring break adventure. As we walked out of 3 Spoons, we both vowed that our spring break eating patterns would most definitely change first thing Sunday....or maybe Monday. :)
We had quite a spring break adventure. I think our entire 5 days together could be summarized in 4 words: eat, shop, drive, laugh. So good. I wish I could remember all the things we laughed about along the way. It was definitely not ideal to part ways, but I'm already looking forward to our next shenanigans. (What's the plan, R?) I so needed the time away to relax and BE, to just enjoy life and good friends. I'm so blessed in so many ways and I'm so grateful to have gained some perspective through my time away.
Cheesy bestie pic :)
Here's wishing you some good time BEING in the near future...along with some gut-wrenching laughter with someone you love. :)
Be blessed.
P.S. If you seriously just read that entire entry, THANK YOU and I'm so sorry for consuming so much for your time. I'll try to blog more often so that my "posts" don't more accurately resemble novelas. :)
