Stories from Nebraska

Resolutions for the Next Year

2012-01-03T14:59:00.000-06:00

For some reason, committing to resolutions was tough for me this year. The usual suspects dotted my to-resolve list, like weight-loss, go to church, etc. But when I really though about it, there is one resolution that seems most appropriate for me this year. Invest more in my relationships. Seemingly simple, yet as I started to think about it. That is a quite daunting. Living in three states in

Christmas Recap

2011-12-27T13:10:00.001-06:00

Did anyone else feel particularly old this Christmas? I am not sure when this change happened, but this year it seemed like all I wanted were practical gifts. For example, I told my mom "I just need socks." And what was I most excited to open on Christmas Eve? Socks. Another example. Our Omaha home is on a tree-lined street. It's stunning. Not so much our house, but our neighbors' homes and the

A wonderful birthday

2011-12-22T09:36:00.000-06:00

OK. Let's admit it. I've been really hard on Omaha as a city. But, I am starting to come around. Last weekend was my 27th birthday. (Pass the botox please.) I didn't want to make a big deal of it, which is somewhat contrary to how Heather and I used to celebrate when in Dallas. (Heather, you know what I am talking about.) The difference between years past and this year? It's simple. I had so

About that new (not so new) house...

2011-12-08T08:00:00.002-06:00

It's the holiday season, which makes me decor crazy. Here are just a few snap shots of our house this year. This is the main living room. I love the bay windows, but it was really hard to find something nice to put there until Christmas rolled around. The sun room/family room. We spend nearly all our time in this room, yet it is the most in need of decoration. The tree helps, but just not

Fly-Over Update

2011-12-07T12:22:00.000-06:00

OK, seriously, I know my lack of blogging is a bit ridiculous. Especially since I have managed just two blog posts this year... Counting this one. Here's a fly-by update. This weekend Andrew graduates from The Ohio State University with a Ph.D. in Food Science. I couldn't be more proud of the work he put into this degree and the fabulous job he scored as a result. (I could maybe do without the

Nice to see you again

2011-03-24T17:34:00.001-05:00

Hi Team, So... it's been awhile. I apologize. Truth be told I've been a complete hermit the past nine months. Obviously Andrew and I finally got hitched. But then we didn't get to live together until two weeks ago. I strongly believe that made me crazy. After strong doses of mood medication, and quitting my beloved job, putting my charming home in Dallas up for rent, and moving to... yes you

This is going to be a trend...

2010-05-12T16:20:00.000-05:00

This is what she does each night before bed.... Makes this darling face and then gets lots of attention. This is Della giving love to one of her many aunts. She is known for texting them her photos with love notes to remind each of them how much she likes them! isn't that sweet? So, when we adopted Della, they told us she had a "leash problem." Which I took as a tugging problem. Actually it

This is My Life Post Heather

2010-05-12T16:08:00.002-05:00

I sit on the floor and take pictures of my cute dog. All the time. NOTE: I hate those closet doors. Trust me. I hate them with a passion. The only reason they are worth anything right now is because my dog likes to look at her reflection in them... Like this photo:

Meet Della Bell Wassinger

2010-05-12T15:58:00.005-05:00

Let me start with an apology. My blogging skills lately have been lackluster to say the least. I have neglected you and for that I am sorry. Truth be told, we've had a lot of blog-worthy life happenings.... Which I will write subsequent posts on tonight. Most likely tonight. Probably. But... One of the greatest things that has happened in our lives recently is this little (somewhat huge) bundle

"We Need More Points!"*

2010-04-22T16:08:00.003-05:00

. . .said our catcher as we entered the top of the 6th in our intramural softball league.So I am playing for the Food Science softball team this Spring and it is awesome. I would say we are like the Bad News Bears (walter matthau (Dr. Evil quote (2002 reference))) or the Cleveland Indians in Major League but even with their hilarious antics they are still much better than we are. Its a coed team,

Memory Lane

2010-04-21T08:13:00.000-05:00

In the car on the way to work this morning two Kenny Chesney songs came on that made me think about how grateful I am for my girlfriends. The first: Keg in the Closet. Does anyone remember that awfully digusting house we had on Laramie Street in college? I swear it was infested and had so many stains on the wallpaper it looked as if the apples were rotten. While it was gross (to the max) I feel

My Version of the Bride Diet

2010-03-31T15:51:00.001-05:00

Last night I was working out with my darling trainer and started to get sick feeling. This was strange for two reasons. 1. Normally that doesn't happen. 2. While it was a tough workout, it wasn't anything new to me. April, said trainer, makes me take a lap around the track and meanwhile gets very serious. Here is how it went from there: April: "We need to talk about diet. I am worried that

I adore Evelyn post 3,088,737

2010-03-30T17:49:00.001-05:00

This is a steal from the babyplacek.blogspot.com. But I just can't help but share. It is so funny! Normally Evelyn is all smiles, but apparently the sound of our family singing was just enough to bring her to tears. :)

Food Tasting at Arlington Beautiful Hall

2010-03-29T15:57:00.002-05:00

It was a big weekend for us. Andrew came to visit. We hung out with the Mayor. Andrew and Dr. C officially met and talked science. We helped coordinator a 600-person egg hunt. We painted our newly remodeled kitchen. Andrew danced with a bull statue downtown... And, we tasted our menu at Arlington Hall! First, let me say that I am completely enamored with our wedding coordinator Sarah. She is the

Could our niece be any more darling?

2010-03-25T10:03:00.001-05:00

Wedding Hair

2010-03-24T18:08:00.007-05:00

With the wedding being under 90 days away, I began to freak out about how I'm going to wear my hair for the wedding. Up? Down? Side pony? Curly? Hundreds of options to go through, so I went and got my hair practice cut today and I think I found something that will work! Thank God for Leanna and her magical scissors! (Sidenote: Yes, these are self-taken pictures in my basement lab).

What's on my iPod

2010-03-24T09:15:00.001-05:00

Lately I have been jamming to a wide variety of artists.... But this morning's car ride was particularly random, even for me. These are the songs that I listened to during my commute. Taylor Swift - Today was a fairy tale (2x) Brooks and Dunn - Whiskey do my talking Rhianna - Rude boys John Mayer - Clarity Kenney Chesney - This is our time Bon Jovi - Living on a prayer OAR - Love and memories

Ode to a roommate: Heather, You're OK

2010-03-23T09:37:00.002-05:00

Brennan and his team are almost done! They started exactly one week ago and are putting the final touches on the kitchen today. They worked really, really fast. While Brennan and Jose did most the heavy lifting, they got paid albeit, not very much but still. :) Heather on the otherhand, a somewhat innocent bystander, did not. It is times like this that I appreciate living with my overly

VANESSA IS ON CLASSIC BRIDE

2010-03-19T09:18:00.001-05:00

Anyone that has talked to me in the last three years has learned that I follow an unhealthy amount of bridal blogs. All of which started with one very simply perfect blog: Classic Bride. I was overjoyed this morning when I checked Classic Bride and found Vanessa and Chris Calcara's wedding. HUGE DEAL in bride world. Vanessa is one of my dearest friends and maid of honor in my wedding. She has

I am a WINNER! Here's a sneak preview

2010-03-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

Last night the lovely and ever faithful Rachel Knight and I went to Emiliy Hudspeth for my free hair and make-up trial that I won a couple weeks ago (in case you didn't read that post, here it is.) It was so fun to get all done up and it turns out that Emily and I have a lot in common when it comes to planning our upcoming weddings. Here is a sneak preview of the first trial run for my hair. I

Kitchen Update: Day One of Demo

2010-03-17T16:22:00.000-05:00

Heather and I cleaned out all our cabinets and the kitchen for the big demo.And this is what we came home to last night. I can't wait.

My flight to St. Louis and the Cougar

2010-03-17T15:58:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I traveled to St. Louis to properly celebrate the last weeks of Brittany Bruns as a single woman. Vanessa hosted us at her gorgeously decorated home (still trying to get over the house envy, hahah). It was a small but mighty group. Very low-key, and just Brittany's style (I hope). Friday I boarded American Airlines flight 1192. I stupidly forgot ear phones and thus was forced to

3 p.m. -- All-staff walking meeting

2010-03-11T15:40:00.002-06:00

Everyone meet at the one-mile marker on the track with your tennis shoes. We are going walking.That is right. I just got done with an all-staff walking meeting. To earn CooperFit points. At the end of the year, if I have improved or maintained my health I get a $300 check.... Jealous? I would be.

It's Almost Here

2010-03-11T09:45:00.000-06:00

Dear John, don't ever leave Dallas

2010-03-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

No, not Dear John of the recent movie. I am talking about the fiery hot John Mayer who (thanks again to Heather) we saw in concert last night. As I starred in complete awe of him, I began thinking "What if Andrew got sleeves like John? And what if Andrew played guitar? His hair is sort of like John's hair. It could work. Maybe?" So I pitched the idea to my fiance this morning. His response "I