tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82369172445116024092024-03-14T03:52:14.661-07:00Cocktails, Party Dresses...and Snacks!Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-40834240809330133112011-12-05T15:08:00.000-08:002011-12-05T19:31:39.399-08:00And a Great Weekend it was…<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friday evening started out with a private dinner at the zoo. The room as decorated beautifully and the food was so delicious (it was made by the same person who is catering the appetizers for our wedding)! However I think that I was faced by one of the scariest moments of my entire life. My brother, Knox and I decided to take a private tour of the Lied Jungle. It was quiet, dark and eerie. Most animals were put away, and the silence was overwhelming as we ventured through the depths of the jungle in near dark. All was well until we decided to tour the bottom level of the jungle…in the dark. For those of you who have been through the bottom half of the Lied Jungle, there are many dark long tunnels. This is fine during the day, when a certain nocturnal animal stays away, however in the night, they were filled with BATS! I did fine through the first tunnel as we only saw one large bat fly by us, however when we got to the other side, there were HUNDREDS of un-caged, ENORMOUS bats! I of course started screaming and panicking as they swarmed around us, zipping around at lightening speeds, while Knox and Pete remained fairly calm. That too only lasted momentarily as Knox looked ahead to the next long dark tunnel to see it LINED with large bats hanging upside down. So there we were, frozen still, with the bats swarming around and the dark tunnel in front of us FILLED with these creepy creatures. I stood there screaming, and decided I was ready to head for the emergency exit (I’m sure at that point lights would have gone on and some siren would have sounded when I opened the door, but I didn't care), when yet ANOTHER bat whizzed by my head and I nearly passed out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Knox and Pete both refused to proceed, so it was time to turn around and backtrack. But again, we were frozen between the two tunnels with swarming bats all around us. I couldn’t even open my eyes! Knox lead the way back through the first tunnel as I held his hand and with my other hand I had my brother. I had to close my eyes the entire way back as the bats where swirling all around us in the tunnel. When we got back to safety, I honestly thought I was going to throw up or pass out…I wasn’t sure which one, but needless to say, I think I was more scared than I have ever been in my life!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W5Pz9gV2bwVWypOyeAJACKFyfExvfRbFNAfwqM6_USrrrdBwbO5wCRkTp3wv9aYJroO252HiOqTZdS7DPgaUpoH0O15GUe4w_AlI58AQUZ7_bH53wuIItaP41C_FRvrB1vIRZ9udUNA/s1600/378966_2565016718317_1041117716_2719018_69474160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W5Pz9gV2bwVWypOyeAJACKFyfExvfRbFNAfwqM6_USrrrdBwbO5wCRkTp3wv9aYJroO252HiOqTZdS7DPgaUpoH0O15GUe4w_AlI58AQUZ7_bH53wuIItaP41C_FRvrB1vIRZ9udUNA/s320/378966_2565016718317_1041117716_2719018_69474160_n.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After calming down back upstairs, we enjoyed our dinner, a brief presentation that was rather amusing on the history of our church, and then off Knox and I went to change into our matching Luau gear and headed to Leigh and Grant’s for the big shin dig. When we arrived the party was in full force, and we stuck around until the end, enjoying the time with friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7j6oYexAbSQ58DIhpjJP79T84F1IqE55uVr3_yVL8s8T0-MLD0wnSijVF5-BVUptr45SzhXrWI7AaOLTBsDdFdoEIB4glvClREWfRD5bUNTb82QHSFZeG0U1S0Xfdho9ue02NFbkNQE/s1600/565126404_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7j6oYexAbSQ58DIhpjJP79T84F1IqE55uVr3_yVL8s8T0-MLD0wnSijVF5-BVUptr45SzhXrWI7AaOLTBsDdFdoEIB4glvClREWfRD5bUNTb82QHSFZeG0U1S0Xfdho9ue02NFbkNQE/s320/565126404_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Saturday we picked out our wedding invitations and then headed home to stay out of the storm. We completed a few projects around the house and watched nothing less than FOOTBALL! We both love college football, so we had a really great evening.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON6pJEx-2mCHj2FktWbsXXJVASG_zcVRAyV3ap5M7dybi4UiDjxigISxJ2bqnRgXLJt-WmWKAf7hcuk2iZKE6WUF0FJN5DG8fSYSS3u9qFQctxhzbSlQ3np_X-4nNVJcV68Cr6JgkWfw/s1600/384689_2564756431810_1041117716_2718848_1073969717_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON6pJEx-2mCHj2FktWbsXXJVASG_zcVRAyV3ap5M7dybi4UiDjxigISxJ2bqnRgXLJt-WmWKAf7hcuk2iZKE6WUF0FJN5DG8fSYSS3u9qFQctxhzbSlQ3np_X-4nNVJcV68Cr6JgkWfw/s320/384689_2564756431810_1041117716_2718848_1073969717_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday we headed out to complete some Christmas shopping (we’re on a roll <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>) after lunching at and grocery shopping at one of our favorite places, Whole Foods. We really enjoy going there and scouring the aisles for unique items to try. Sometimes Knox’s picks are a little “too unique” for my enjoyment, but we find many, many goods that we both like. We plan to make lamb burgers this week which we are both just stoked about! We also put up a few Christmas lights outside, which makes me so happy. I love Christmas! Knox did most of the work, but I stood there, bundled up in support, even when he was dumping snow on me from the roof!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week is going to be VERY busy for us. We have a few wedding things to work on and then our goal is to wrap up Christmas shopping. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We’ll see how far we get! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cheers to a great week!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-74105949784316011972011-12-02T10:44:00.001-08:002011-12-02T10:44:26.006-08:00Kalo Mina!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m getting very excited for this weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it will mostly be spent relaxing with my fantastic fiancé, which we haven’t had the joy of doing, uninterrupted, in quite some time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so nice to be putting our own little house together, just as we want it, in addition to all of the Christmas decorating!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have been so busy lately with many, many things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been working on an event for our church, to be held this evening at the Henry Doorly Zoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The land that was purchased to build our new facility off of 180<sup>th</sup> and Dodge is officially paid off; therefore it’s time to party!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knox has been so helpful, whether it be punching programs or running errands, I couldn’t have done it without him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited for the evening, which will be followed up with ANOTHER party this evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our good friends, Grant and Leigh, host a holiday shin dig each year which also happens to be this evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the zoo party Knox and I plan to hurry home and get changed into our best Hawaiian gear as we are headed to their Luau! Can you tell why we’ll be so excited to get a little R*R tomorrow?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend we will also be working on wedding plans as we are knee deep in them right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many things going on, so many details to work out, I just can’t thank, once again, my groom and my family and friends for beings so helpful and assisting in getting things done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all of you out there that have planned a wedding, I envy you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is SO much work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems as though the process begins very simply, but as time goes on and details need to be nailed down, the entire process seems to get a little crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had so much fun along the way, and we just hope that our friends and family have a FUN night, helping us celebrate our marriage!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know it’s been quite some time since I’ve updated the blog, so be on the lookout for new photos and posts.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the Greeks say “Kalo Mina” or “Happy Month”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheers to a wonderful December!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XO,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-5052119873701603082011-09-29T10:19:00.000-07:002011-09-29T10:24:51.650-07:00Market to Market!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am getting so excited for this weekend and the big Market to Market race!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><a href="http://www.markettomarketrelay.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.markettomarketrelay.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who do not know what that it, it is a relay race from Memorial Park in Omaha to the Haymarket Park in Lincoln.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOWZA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race is difficult to get accepted into, as returning teams are grandfathered in and new teams are placed into a lottery, and clearly, we're in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am definitely the slowest runner on my team, lol, but I am so inspired by the seven other amazing runners of whom I get to join in this adventure, giving a big shout out to Lindsey, Dan, Amy, Jeff, Christie, Nate and Naresh! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys rock!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV5FNS34_I-YhE9DELJaYQKtvtD3jH7L_irwAexBPwFc51jymsC-fD1eCdZFkvIbuA5zwuHefAZofKCt9MJFu_HyEqTj_AyidPNq4-kJ-B_BKMRb4EC7woAka_iBtkcC6k9zNguhsFyM/s1600/228483_1933409608534_1041117716_2159684_4206248_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV5FNS34_I-YhE9DELJaYQKtvtD3jH7L_irwAexBPwFc51jymsC-fD1eCdZFkvIbuA5zwuHefAZofKCt9MJFu_HyEqTj_AyidPNq4-kJ-B_BKMRb4EC7woAka_iBtkcC6k9zNguhsFyM/s320/228483_1933409608534_1041117716_2159684_4206248_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knox & I Completely Destroyed Our Shoes after Lucky Bucket</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Out of the eight of us, there are about half who have to run 3 different legs, each leg averaging 3-6 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, thankfully, am only running two legs, Stage 8 and 16.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stage 8 is 5.41 miles with the baton passed to me for my big start in Springfield, NE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My second leg, Stage 16, is 4.14 miles, and my starting point (i.e. exchange) is in Eagle, NE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting at 8:15 in the morning, it is estimated that our team will have run the 78 miles in 10 hours, YAHOO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very excited and honored to be participating with these super runners, and will definitely do what I can to cheer them on.</span></span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3qq1BNiYbjxk5zEOB2iZbS1tzN7DBQQdHbvCWybd1W8RNumbW12GYqwLu_85_OaCvQ4f_RuU0GUlmlKrp_sIObjkg5PRoCSzZ7aEB1RmKHsVK4WOs8lz1C98-OtRcGyHJ0cLu7KcKvg/s1600/227538_1933408728512_1041117716_2159682_2849807_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3qq1BNiYbjxk5zEOB2iZbS1tzN7DBQQdHbvCWybd1W8RNumbW12GYqwLu_85_OaCvQ4f_RuU0GUlmlKrp_sIObjkg5PRoCSzZ7aEB1RmKHsVK4WOs8lz1C98-OtRcGyHJ0cLu7KcKvg/s320/227538_1933408728512_1041117716_2159682_2849807_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cheryl, Myself, Heather and Gayle </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">@ the Lucky Bucket Off-road Race</span></span></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m also excited for the post-race celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My best friend Gayle and our very good friends Heather and Bruce are also running the race, and we plan to meet up and cheer on our Huskers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait for a win; I just know they can do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, no doubt, will be fast asleep on the ride home from Lincoln after such an exciting and eventful day.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Knox is leaving for Vegas in the morning. I hope he has the best time as he has never been before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s such a weird place, lol!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love all of the shopping, food, shows and gambling, and I am excited that he is experiencing it with his best friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to hear all of the stories!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are staying at one of my most favorite hotels, Planet Hollywood, which is a young and hip hotel/casino right in the center of the strip.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The band is confirmed for our big day! I’m so glad that we were able to get our first choice, and I look forward to having a ten piece band to help us dance the night away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally made Knox dispose of all of the wedding cake samples that were remaining in our house as it was getting a little out of control eating a “little” slice of cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My best friend Michelle is coming over tomorrow night for dinner and to hang, which will be a wonderful prequel to Saturday’s big race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Thursday!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XO,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Anastasia</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-7474473836867014692011-09-26T14:10:00.000-07:002011-09-26T14:38:52.893-07:00Oh, What a Weekend!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What a weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were SO busy this weekend and I’m not sure that much got done, but we had fun!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Knox and I decided to have a few friends over for the Husker game on Saturday, and therefore a trip to good ole Costco was in order Friday evening after work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how we love that store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> We first made a quick stop at Scheel’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as I needed to pick up a new pair of running shoes as I was getting a hole in the toe of mine (way to pay attention, right?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arriving home at 9:30 p.m. without having eaten, I quickly whipped up some Croque Monsieur’s and a little salad with raspberry, walnut and gorgonzola dressing for the two of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delicious!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/croque-monsieur-recipe/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/croque-monsieur-recipe/index.html</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXMBeDfpkH-swfD9iES4c5dyb8GhqJbgJMp5oi8aHtCPIcFHqTf8k91Nno7FE2HZ6QdjI7dYb84P_H55YPzMIvK05_riEFKsgtu_uNrE8YrGmuc2dK-VEKj0PLBrLECwMOgoapCQmHGw/s1600/sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXMBeDfpkH-swfD9iES4c5dyb8GhqJbgJMp5oi8aHtCPIcFHqTf8k91Nno7FE2HZ6QdjI7dYb84P_H55YPzMIvK05_riEFKsgtu_uNrE8YrGmuc2dK-VEKj0PLBrLECwMOgoapCQmHGw/s320/sand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday we were up early and off to the Cake Gallery to sample wedding cakes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO GOOD (omahacakegallery.com)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minds made up we were off to our monthly massage appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh heaven, I look forward to it every month!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love nothing more than spending my Saturday mornings with Knox, and we soon returned home for an afternoon walk (the weather was absolutely beautiful) and to prepare for our evening guests.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Huskers showed a nice win that evening over the Wyoming Cowboys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yahoo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great day and Knox was excited to get a brand new PlayStation3!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was literally glowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess for some of us, it’s the simple things!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QRHOUgw9Fmn4_oM454Am6H4nxHeAa0O60jzAdcz29aZ6h18dR_2fqAsKYa8IA7q0_Jp2F2OhVyrle22nCl8zvatmHWKduwam_fow6TvvOqiWOb0s8Eho-i35jyc8gtD-Nz77pybFyF4/s1600/306895_2279097770522_1041117716_2542063_1836484671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QRHOUgw9Fmn4_oM454Am6H4nxHeAa0O60jzAdcz29aZ6h18dR_2fqAsKYa8IA7q0_Jp2F2OhVyrle22nCl8zvatmHWKduwam_fow6TvvOqiWOb0s8Eho-i35jyc8gtD-Nz77pybFyF4/s320/306895_2279097770522_1041117716_2542063_1836484671_n.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sunday I was off to church and Knox and Zach went to shoot some trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knox met my parents and I for lunch, and then we were home again, surprisingly enough, for another walk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time we had the three pups with us (we are babysitting Matilda who is Knox’s parent’s dog), and for anyone to see us walking all three, it had to be better than the circus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the last week it’s like we have a herd of 10 pound cattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Skeelo being the smallest (7 pounds) and Gussy the largest (17 pounds) it was a riot as they ran around the house in a little pack, all chasing the same bone after <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>each having been given their own.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6OMCq9z50ulh6qXdyo22hn-dYFjhoi8RwveIe0KMlNA8fYjz-k63F4BnvBNGYtmUEJvXgSHPrVcKfITXgUyRRb3E3q2-u_SNYeIAfwA9AgGLI3JK5qU144owgNJAVSWJIjExP2iC8aU/s1600/299453_2279098450539_1041117716_2542066_1728880707_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6OMCq9z50ulh6qXdyo22hn-dYFjhoi8RwveIe0KMlNA8fYjz-k63F4BnvBNGYtmUEJvXgSHPrVcKfITXgUyRRb3E3q2-u_SNYeIAfwA9AgGLI3JK5qU144owgNJAVSWJIjExP2iC8aU/s320/299453_2279098450539_1041117716_2542066_1728880707_n.jpg" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sunday evening I went and saw Jersey Boys at the Orpheum Theater with my best gal Sarah Spooner.</span> (<span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/broadway/">http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/broadway/</a>) The show was WONDERFUL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised at how many songs I recognized that were performed by The Four Seasons, and I found myself frequently dancing in my seat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came home to make Knox listen to “Oh What a Night” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” before bed. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a FUN night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah and I enjoyed a cocktail and appetizer and the ZIN Room prior to the show, and I must give it a two thumbs up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spinach artichoke dip appetizer was superb!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<a href="http://www.zinomaha.com/ordereze/1000/Page.aspx">http://www.zinomaha.com/ordereze/1000/Page.aspx</a>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s one of those foods that had there been an endless supply, I just would have continued to eat it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The happy hour pricing was also stellar, with two glasses of wine and the appetizer totaling just $13, service was wonderful.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQMiNPzJhesdjYKUnuHavCK7dgdVDQZQMfn5_nTN9sOLufOYzHwOQeZCoFffk4twlrdPkL-ZIlJKXIqx3DEDX3_FVYbSN8OXhD9VPHSrM_rYHVNFlM8FeeNmOpm9FJUhLod4nnJO_45Q/s1600/317770_2279098170532_1041117716_2542065_999191729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQMiNPzJhesdjYKUnuHavCK7dgdVDQZQMfn5_nTN9sOLufOYzHwOQeZCoFffk4twlrdPkL-ZIlJKXIqx3DEDX3_FVYbSN8OXhD9VPHSrM_rYHVNFlM8FeeNmOpm9FJUhLod4nnJO_45Q/s320/317770_2279098170532_1041117716_2542065_999191729_n.jpg" width="178" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This weekend went by so fast! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Volleyball tonight, and then Knox will be off to Vegas Friday to celebrate his best friend Bob who is getting married October 14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working on the OPA Ball, our church’s biggest fundraiser, which will be held Saturday October 15<sup>th</sup> at Champion’s Run Golf Course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evening is a blast and I can’t wait to get dressed up with my fiance for a night out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are interested, please let me know and I will forward you an invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food and dancing are great, and there are some pretty awesome silent auction and auction items…condo in Aspen anyone!?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Saturday I’ll be running Market to Market and plan to do nothing but relax and get some things done around the house on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am SO looking forward to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And best of all, my person will be returning home!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cheerio!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia Ephtyhia</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-73807442119905565172011-09-20T09:42:00.000-07:002011-09-20T09:42:47.898-07:00Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yassas, everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an awesome weekend!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First and foremost, I bought my wedding dress on Friday! Hioh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am completely in love with it, and I am so excited to wear it on my big day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The experience was simply delightful! From the women in my life who were there to support me in buying the most important garment I will ever wear (thank you Mom, Julie {Knox’s Mom}, Holly {Knox’s Sister} and Patty {Knox’s Grandmother}), to the most wonderful bridal consultant, Linda at Bridal Traditions who assisted me in finding the most perfect dress, I couldn’t have asked for anything more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rounded out the day having lunch with Maria, Eva and Mia (Eva and Mia are our flower girls) and viewing where we would be having our reception. I just can’t wait!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Friday evening we headed to Pizza King in Council Bluffs to have dinner with my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOVE Pizza King (http://www.pizzaking1101.com/), and it very special to us as my brother’s godparents own it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended the night with a trip to Harrah’s casino where my soon to be husband, The Slot Whisperer, had his usual success with the slot machines, leaving with $80 more than what he came with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the sweetest and always splits his winnings with me as he will tell you I can probably lose money faster than anyone you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great time and soon returned home so we could prepare for Saturday’s big game…</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST16SszG-yDx0exUn9cQAvwwQTy6BfaWhtwCCTgQhkBcRFejEwY7_PoTeLRCY80c7tbrZHIjnyS3_o0IKSz0OwRkpMOlBtGVSokHMJSLuqga22b1hSnsJCsOX_3CnngaFLFZmTmHyYSU/s1600/308036_2256836614007_1041117716_2525040_1714441272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST16SszG-yDx0exUn9cQAvwwQTy6BfaWhtwCCTgQhkBcRFejEwY7_PoTeLRCY80c7tbrZHIjnyS3_o0IKSz0OwRkpMOlBtGVSokHMJSLuqga22b1hSnsJCsOX_3CnngaFLFZmTmHyYSU/s320/308036_2256836614007_1041117716_2525040_1714441272_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will save my observations relative to the Huskers for another day, but will say I am very glad they won!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am fairly confident the two young boys that sit in front of us each game are becoming increasingly unsure of what to think about Knox’s commentary as they frequently turn around and look at him with very perplexed looks on their faces, and sometimes the evil eye!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa3o955d2OGOeYX_6kSAPuVUnbM_yWJIIhn1qojhyXYUPUf0dS5Rbf_3aLmDDMRJIEbQbMeguSNeyYRhPavOJC57aBj1isicSCY2CTUZnRmdf6xfNLgpBq1Llp3LqkA9R5d0Wh8OMuVs/s1600/315764_2256853574431_1041117716_2525047_1027200485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa3o955d2OGOeYX_6kSAPuVUnbM_yWJIIhn1qojhyXYUPUf0dS5Rbf_3aLmDDMRJIEbQbMeguSNeyYRhPavOJC57aBj1isicSCY2CTUZnRmdf6xfNLgpBq1Llp3LqkA9R5d0Wh8OMuVs/s320/315764_2256853574431_1041117716_2525047_1027200485_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had a GREAT time tailgating with Knox’s parents and a superb dinner at Firethorn Golf Club</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> in Lincoln after the game with Knox and Julie, my parents, Pete and Abbe, Greg and Debbie Boosalis, Bronson Boosalis and my god sister Lia Sleder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed out a little too late, and could totally feel it the next day as we ran the Corporate Cup race in downtown Omaha (</span><a href="http://omahacorporatecup.org/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://omahacorporatecup.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So proud of my little brother for finishing in 53:51, go Pete!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were exhausted afterwards, but the workout felt great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a little lunch, made a trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart to purchase ANOTHER new couch (we love this one so much more) and then a quick nap before my godson’s 1<sup>st</sup> birthday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe that he’s already one, time flies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Birthday, Jackson!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES3B1_DKQmLZnTLVHxxynVt1BHQGnoK4q6nFt6QBWhrg4E6SsF6yg3DFo8aikwdVv1qEYWkLVjNMcWxR1C8fwpkUb00TYniwJPzi1aanGdtzc0g8uhVfTwdstw66gr9GXPJjGrj_MoN0/s1600/web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES3B1_DKQmLZnTLVHxxynVt1BHQGnoK4q6nFt6QBWhrg4E6SsF6yg3DFo8aikwdVv1qEYWkLVjNMcWxR1C8fwpkUb00TYniwJPzi1aanGdtzc0g8uhVfTwdstw66gr9GXPJjGrj_MoN0/s320/web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m excited for the rest of this week as I am getting a little scrapbooking time in with my good friend Dani Hampton, a trip to River City Round Up with lots of good friends, date night with my fiancé, and what I know will be a win by the Huskers!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Tuesday, ya’ll!!!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XO,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-5781154510226751982011-09-09T12:38:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:49:10.815-07:00Birthdays, Weddings and Huskers<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Birthday, Dad!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s almost time for the weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited for it to be here! Tonight we are going to Katie’s Greek Restaurant (katiesgreek.com) to celebrate my parent’s birthdays! Yahoo! I can’t wait. The food is absolutely delicious and the restaurant is owned by very good friends of my parent’s. I think that Knox and I have both been dreaming about Greek food the last few days in preparation for tonight’s festivities! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tomorrow will be a fun filled day, though sadly Knox and I will be spending it apart. A very good childhood friend is getting married, and therefore I will be attending the wedding with my family. At the time I had received the Save the Date card, I had told Knox he could still go to the Husker game as we hadn’t been dating that long and I knew he would be bummed to miss it. Well here we are, so many months later, engaged and both committed to separate events tomorrow. I know that we will both have a really good time, but having fun is never the same without your best friend in tow!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are kicking off our United Way campaign here at work this week. Our department is donating three baskets for the Business Services Center raffle. I have completed two of them (lots of help from Kelli Erhart and a few other members on my team) and need to get the remaining goods for the final basket. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The first basket is an “all seasons” basket full of items for all seasons of the year…beach towels, Christmas candles, holiday pillowcases, gel potpourris, flower seeds, Easter eggs, cocktail napkins and so much more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRQ4Fbwu6TZpL4CCcbL8XePzu8YrXUzcyhAHFjv2iADnilHjAuS12SLWyuD4Y4nJ-R5hx5qiQh9GftbJ_WRm_b0Y2g9tlf81kCqDUD8ti82rRAh0Sracubk8YbkCr4MKlaDjN5GXH1XY/s1600/2011-09-09_09-09-38_655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRQ4Fbwu6TZpL4CCcbL8XePzu8YrXUzcyhAHFjv2iADnilHjAuS12SLWyuD4Y4nJ-R5hx5qiQh9GftbJ_WRm_b0Y2g9tlf81kCqDUD8ti82rRAh0Sracubk8YbkCr4MKlaDjN5GXH1XY/s320/2011-09-09_09-09-38_655.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The second basket is a date night basket, primarily French themed, which includes a bottle of Moscato, two wine glasses, chocolates, a candle, cocktail napkins and Visa gift card.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qCodEd-XMLhfISkfm9SxHFHl3K_6nZM2y2MEVy2gQ2f-pa4T_sktvQNwV3Q9Rk0Rge5xId6G1iaChCDtD0fQyFiR-Qy-BnuzCXsporVAefbnz90dtIxVIVvoO6n3Em6mEf6rjrPULAo/s1600/2011-09-09_09-09-15_587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qCodEd-XMLhfISkfm9SxHFHl3K_6nZM2y2MEVy2gQ2f-pa4T_sktvQNwV3Q9Rk0Rge5xId6G1iaChCDtD0fQyFiR-Qy-BnuzCXsporVAefbnz90dtIxVIVvoO6n3Em6mEf6rjrPULAo/s320/2011-09-09_09-09-15_587.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The last basket will be Creighton themed as my former boss in Internal Audit, Jude, generously donated a pair of tickets to the winner’s game of choice to a Creighton basketball game (thank you, Jude)! I need to grab a few more goodies for this basket and accessorize with the required white and blue before sending it off on Monday. I know I would love to win any of these!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday I am trying on wedding dresses…WOWZA! I can’t believe it! I am very excited and will be accompanied by my Mother, future Mother in Law, and Knox’s Grandmother, Patty.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last but not least, enjoy this photo from last week’s Ke$ha concert. I’m following quickly in the footsteps of my Great Grandma Houghtaling, having a superior ability to cut people’s heads off!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkFte8-bg-GsvAjZUMwa5YYUSliEv7G3JZ_OInKftDJeq6C5qDXZF7aCyxs93M_3z4F7ubafGYZxPMBddXAk1h7qZPpRZLpYrwvihazuKlLOflo2rPYS5k0xt4AnjJKsuozVZy-jDm-M/s1600/2011-08-31_21-18-19_106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkFte8-bg-GsvAjZUMwa5YYUSliEv7G3JZ_OInKftDJeq6C5qDXZF7aCyxs93M_3z4F7ubafGYZxPMBddXAk1h7qZPpRZLpYrwvihazuKlLOflo2rPYS5k0xt4AnjJKsuozVZy-jDm-M/s320/2011-08-31_21-18-19_106.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just love Gayle, Liz and Angie! We had so much fun!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have a great weekend, and Go Big Red!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">XO,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">P.S. I will get into this more later, I’m sure, but has anyone watched the first episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!??! Knox came in and commented that I looked like a zombie glued to the TV. My response was “don’t you know this is my “watching a train wreck” face”?!?!? All I have to say is WOW!</span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-863235167224543402011-09-08T12:45:00.000-07:002011-09-08T12:45:03.809-07:00Flower Girls!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So excited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We officially have two flower girls and a very cute ring bearer that will be helping us celebrate our big day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had dinner last night at Bonefish Grill with Maria and Jim Sanderson (two of my favorite people) and their little girls Mia (5) and Eva (3) who have agreed to help us celebrate and participate in our big walk down the aisle! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you haven’t met the two girls, they are absolutely HILARIOUS and completely adorable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While at dinner, Mia decided to show us what our family was going to look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She started by drawing just two babies, but in the end, Knox and I were destined, per her table drawing, to have a family of eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness I am far too old for that!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E9oP_pLx6OOumeQ4kzpd3MhAS3JtcY__k7iCpFVdtp0fEVc8TZIGXvOw8Vi5qZAQG3EjW6-nAiDrNV1holTELWoA22cvToiLy9uhsIoKxZyCMwUWUOqQARH4CoX0B_AuIRfaQIPTTME/s1600/2011-09-07_17-43-49_421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E9oP_pLx6OOumeQ4kzpd3MhAS3JtcY__k7iCpFVdtp0fEVc8TZIGXvOw8Vi5qZAQG3EjW6-nAiDrNV1holTELWoA22cvToiLy9uhsIoKxZyCMwUWUOqQARH4CoX0B_AuIRfaQIPTTME/s320/2011-09-07_17-43-49_421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oddly enough, we ran into Maria and the girls today at lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were SO excited to see us both, and if you know the two girls, they definitely have each selected a favorite between Knox and myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mia’s eyes lit up when she saw me along with a huge shriek to tell me that she has made my wedding present already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eva, upon seeing “Mr. Knox” let out a loud shrieking “Knooooooooooooooooooooox” and ran right past me and flew into Knox’s arms giving him a big hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are simply the cutest girls, have the best sense of humor, and I am so honored that they are going to be a part of our big day!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last weekend was so busy and we’re already nearing this next weekend (no complaining here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just incredible how fast time flies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am returning to softball tonight in hopes that I won’t:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a) Be afraid of the ball! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">b) Won’t get hit again!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am in a ton of pain after last week’s debacle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there wasn’t much pain in the beginning, as the bruise has “subsided” (can you feel my eye roll on that one?) the pain has increased, and I’m just livid!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am to run the Corporate Cup run on September 18<sup>th</sup> and Market to Market (a relay race from Omaha’s Old Market to Lincoln’s Haymarket) on October 1, and since the softball incident I have been able to get in a few baby runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with the increase in pain, I haven’t been able to do much but lift, and so I’m a little nervous and frustrated as to what will happen when I take on the challenges!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tomorrow evening we will be celebrating John and Kathy’s birthdays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Birthday, Mom and Dad!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys rock and I love you!!!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XO!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-83271967180361325542011-09-06T06:47:00.000-07:002011-09-06T06:47:09.672-07:00Go Big Red!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Can I start by saying how simply excited I am for this weekend?! It’s the beginning of Husker football, and if you know anything about my in-laws (and ESPECIALLY my person), they LOVE IT! Lucky for Knox, I love it, too! We’ll be headed down to Lincoln tomorrow morning to prep for the game via the Jones Family tailgate. I’m super excited as my parents will be joining as well, and I am most assured a good time will be had by all. Timothy, our Husker gnome, will also be in attendance for good luck even though I know we won’t need it after we effortlessly hand over to TN @ Chatt their first loss.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We’re going to try and head to La Festa Italiana tonight, depending upon how much we get accomplished this afternoon. Check out the website for more details. </span><a href="http://www.omahaitaly.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.omahaitaly.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The food is simply fantastic and I love me some homemade cannoli. You bet we’ll be taking a box of those goodies home with us tonight. MMM…the thought of a meatball sandwich makes me hungry already!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I SAW KE$HA! And LMFAO. What a FUN night. LMFAO was definitely the best part of the show, and it was one serious dance party. Ke$ha was amazing, I’m sorry for those of you that are haters out there, but she rocked it. She has SO MANY songs that we all know, she definitely has done a good job making herself a catchy popstar. The only downer to the night was going home and knowing had to get up and go to work the next day. Oh, what happened to the days when I went out EVERY night of the week and could have cared a less if it was Wednesday or Friday?!?!??!!? Growing up is so fun to do!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of which…</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night was my first experience playing first base on my softball team. HELLO! Next time I will be arriving in nothing short of full catchers gear, only to surprise the team by announcing that I am truly the first baseman. Upon the news that I was being upgraded to this new position, I was asked if I was afraid of the ball. If you know me, you know my answer was “no way, bring it on”. Second inning I was completely rocked by a guy who hit the ball at warped speed at no place other than my shin. Needless to say, the majority of my leg is black and blue today, my brother asked if I really needed a glove as I am using my body to stop the ball, and Knox has been taking care of me with ice packs and ibuprofen. I’m a little nervous as I have a couple of races coming up in the next month, but will still be headed to the gym to work on strength training until I am up and running at full speed again. Injuries, too, are not as fun to get over (similar to how waking up the next day after a concert and having to go to work) the older you get!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wedding plans are going so smoothly! A few more things down and few surprises to come! Cannot wait for everyone to share in our big day!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a great weekend, and GO BIG RED!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">XO!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP";"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-10656816088054078842011-08-31T09:43:00.000-07:002011-08-31T09:43:13.053-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">People have been asking me why they haven’t seen a blog post from me in what seems like FOREVER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that’s because so many things (as most of you know) have happened in the last month, and I’m still playing catch up with about half of it.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First and foremost, I am currently the future Mrs. Knox<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S. Jones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that’s right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On my birthday, Knox proposed with a GORGEOUS engagement ring complete with a fancy yellow diamond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful piece of jewelry, and I am SO lucky to have such an incredible person that, soon enough (May 19<sup>th</sup>!), I will be calling my husband!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you, Knox!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Needless to say, The month-and-a-half since my birthday has been a whirlwind of wedding plans and moving, and it all couldn’t be going any more smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have wonderful parents and future in-laws who have made everything so easy up to this point! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Groom has been pretty helpful as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I may give some tidbits about wedding plans and info about where we are with things in the upcoming months, for the most part, my lips will be zipped, so don’t ask! :p</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tonight I am going to be throwing some glitter and making it rain because there’s a party at a rich dude’s house…. If you have absolutely no clue what I am talking about, I’m headed to see Ke$ha tonight with my bestie Gayle, her cousin Liz, and my other bestie Angie!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait for the girl’s night out and to relish the fact that we will probably be the only ones old enough to be enjoying cocktails at the show.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did you all watch the MTV Video Music awards on Sunday?!?!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much I could say about it! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I will keep my remarks short and sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lady Gaga was great, poor Chris Brown should stick to dancing, I got a little teary during Adele’s solo, and Russell Brand, who I normally do not care for, delivered a lovely tribute to Amy Winehouse (who was, indeed, a VERY talented musician). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the Bruno Marz tribute to Winehouse was very sweet too.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More to come...I promise I will be blogging more frequently!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cheers!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S. - Fage came out with a few new flavors of yogurt that are simply delightful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am currently in love with the Cherry and Pomegranate mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely recommend trying it if you are a Greek yogurt fan, they’re delicious! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.P.S. It's about that time...GO BIG RED!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtNKyZMtLNeS_q2EFG_aO5T33BHXIqip88WQPzXbq0MZZsMoPquhVyD2kCWa8tKAL8fpsqfpkz9rzI3zb9b1-Ien60XtDfsxZbozhzYNZvikDkH9t5YbkjxktM7QCQZ_gwhTX7cpN9hM/s1600/TheBigN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtNKyZMtLNeS_q2EFG_aO5T33BHXIqip88WQPzXbq0MZZsMoPquhVyD2kCWa8tKAL8fpsqfpkz9rzI3zb9b1-Ien60XtDfsxZbozhzYNZvikDkH9t5YbkjxktM7QCQZ_gwhTX7cpN9hM/s1600/TheBigN.png" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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</div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-40344476763739915102011-06-25T11:12:00.000-07:002011-06-25T11:17:55.845-07:00And It's Saturday!<div class="Section1" style="layout-grid: 18.0pt;"><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yassas, my friends!</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope that you all have had a wonderful weekend so far. Mine’s been nice and relaxing, the weather’s been great (a little humid), and of course, full of missing Knox! I think you all will hear me continue to whine for the next few days until his return, so for everyone else’s sake, Knox, get back! :p</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our annual Company wide meeting was held, yesterday, at the MidAmerica Center in Council Bluffs. It was a rather eye opening moment to see all of the volunteers that were filling sandbags to protect Omaha and our surrounding communities as I drove through the parking lot to attend the event. So much work that goes into filling just one sand bag, and hundred of sandbags are needed just to protect one small building. I commend all of the volunteers who have taken to assist in this effort, as I am afraid the battle continues. Below is a photo of Building 11 on the ConAgra campus. The area on the left that appears to be dirt was once a parking area, and the sandbags have been stacked to create a four-foot wide by four foot high barrier in hopes to protect the building from future flooding.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1l8SaszhFCZ5YVIyzaHBW-bvEgM9Y7_0x3TgHhFFUsbJ92Huxh8Dq7kYuER98pwXjtzbWJQJlLCSHHU9oQjPYhOJ4CTmKSq82E3rIE-mQW_lM4JHRbyfc8bZV8xSP0zVWfEVy__bkXs/s1600/Bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1l8SaszhFCZ5YVIyzaHBW-bvEgM9Y7_0x3TgHhFFUsbJ92Huxh8Dq7kYuER98pwXjtzbWJQJlLCSHHU9oQjPYhOJ4CTmKSq82E3rIE-mQW_lM4JHRbyfc8bZV8xSP0zVWfEVy__bkXs/s320/Bags.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the meeting, my team decided to head over to the Company Store, which is located at the Council Bluffs Manufacturing plant. I think this was the same idea that everyone else that had attended the meeting had as well. I waited half an hour in line, but was able to purchase many of our famous brands at super discounted prices for myself, my parents and Knox. My favorite thing that I walked away with was the Banquet Chicken Pot Pies and the Banquet Peach Fruit Pies. While these are intended to be individual servings sizes, Knox and I always split them and pair with a salad to reduce the calorie count. I love them, they are delicious, but they aren’t exactly the healthiest meal in the world. And the best part is you can microwave them, so it’s a quick and easy meal if you don’t have a ton of time to cook, which happens to us during the evenings we play softball and volleyball.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I then was forced to go to my least favorite place in the world, the DMV! Each year I am cognizant to mail my check and insurance the minute the card shows up in the mail informing me that my plates are due (I hear you can do this online now). This enables you to avoid the lines (and headache) associated with actually making the trip to the DMV. Well for some reason I did not get the notification card in the mail and had to actually go to the DMV. 40 minutes in line and A LOT of strange looking people, I was ready to run out of there. Just saying. After my time waiting in line at the Company Store and DMV, I don’t think that I have ever looked forward to pool time as I was at that moment!</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is where Knox spoils me. As most of you know he has a gorgeous in ground pool, and that is where we have spent our pool time this summer. With him being out of town, I decided to venture back to the country club pool where I had spent so many summers of my life. I always enjoy thinking about all of the good times that I have had at the country club over the years, including when my parents threw me a Sweet 16 birthday party there, had the pool shut down for the private party, and pretty much invited all of Central High School’s Junior Class of 1999. It was pretty freaking awesome.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sadly, I can officially say that I am not heartbroken that I haven’t been there this summer, and am pretty thankful to have to use it as an alternative only when necessary. Throughout all of the years that my parent’s have belonged to the country club, I always have selected the same spot at the pool to sprawl out and soak up the sun, which is right next to the diving board. I love watching the little ones go off the board, and don’t mind the occasional splash that I get when the older kids jump over the board as it’s a perfect way to cool down.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday, however, as I was lying in my usual spot, I hear a group of 10-year-old boys bickering over how much to raise the diving board (the board there can be manually raised up and down). One boy wanted it higher, one boy lower. The boy who wanted it higher turned to the other boy and asked, “Do you even belong here”? The other boy, head down, sheepishly said, “No, I do not”, and went on to say he was a guest of another boy. Boy #1 then went on to say to him “Well then since you don’t belong here, you don’t get a choice, now do you”? I couldn’t believe it! My heart felt so sad for the boy who had just been delivered that nasty message. That was the moment when I thought to myself, I am so glad I don’t have to come here frequently anymore and witness this kind of behavior. Shame on the parents who have raised their ten-year-old son to be so exclusive and self centered. I really enjoy that my parents belong to the country club, but I swear to you, it’s like the monster in everyone comes out during the summers there at the pool. The exclusivity and feeling of being better then others festers each summer in the waters of that pool. I don’t know how it ever got that way, but it makes me sad when people forget that money or not, we’re all the same.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don’t get me wrong; I love that pool. The trendy, fun, music, the children, and being able to have a glass or two of Pinot Grigio delivered to you by a pool boy aren’t anything to complain about! And I was able to walk a way a shade darker than when I arrived, goal accomplished!</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This morning I woke up and drove downtown to pamper myself a little and get my hair done. I LOVE the Icon. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s an amazing boutique salon on about 40</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and Farnam. I’ve been going there for years and it would take a real act of God for me to change where I go. There are four stylists, I go to Bonnie, but would trust any of them with my long locks. Check them out at http://www.facebook.com/iconstudioforhair.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we speak my mother is off to get her hair done as well, and then I’m off to meet her for a little shopping excursion. Yes, it’s what we do best! I might squeeze a little pool time in, and then off to Archiver’s for a 6 hour scrap booking session with my lady, Dani Hampton.</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We’ll see how much I get done through all of our catching up, I can’t wait!</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">XO,</span></div><div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" /> </span> <br />
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</div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-48875580508212450532011-06-23T15:35:00.000-07:002011-06-23T15:46:24.436-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Thursday!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to say I’m stoked and flattered at the number of people who are viewing my blog and even more excited that I actually have some followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I think this means I have the best friends and family, EVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I don’t disappoint the masses and am able to provide some sort entertainment value, whether through my sometimes outrageous views on things or my commentary on simple, yet meaningful, life events.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am officially out of touch until with Knox until Monday (sad, I know!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s in Canada fishing Aikens Lake, which is pretty cool if you ask me (</span></span><a href="http://www.aikenslake.com/main/index.html"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.aikenslake.com/main/index.html</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has been instructed to catch every fish in my honor, haha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was super sweet and called this morning to bid a final adieu until Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent him this picture text of Skeelo, my oldest dog, in bed with Gus’s giraffe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awww, I love my puppies!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q6WkutulR5TEsauaZYyZxl1q4gQK-DIq4aWNMZfFxQlYytNiR2m_QuhNzasWa29W57K3H8O82X1YisD6T-jW0ufRup7KOU4YdqdlHCtVECcOx-yhRBb6mp9kyRGbqsRIsXyidLPgjWQ/s1600/2011-06-23_06-50-30_678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q6WkutulR5TEsauaZYyZxl1q4gQK-DIq4aWNMZfFxQlYytNiR2m_QuhNzasWa29W57K3H8O82X1YisD6T-jW0ufRup7KOU4YdqdlHCtVECcOx-yhRBb6mp9kyRGbqsRIsXyidLPgjWQ/s320/2011-06-23_06-50-30_678.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I must admit, this separation will be the longest that I’ve had from Knox since we’ve started dating, and to top that off, there’s no contact due to his pilgrimage into the wilderness where cell phone towers do not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally a few calls or emails are exchanged when we are apart, but I am deprived, this time, the luxury of the nightly phone call! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let’s just say Monday can’t come soon enough, but I hope he has a fantastically relaxing trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already miss him!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today is my parent’s 32nd wedding anniversary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOOHOO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents are the bomb.com, and I’m so thankful to have them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad gifted my mom with something super fancy and nice…a NEW CAR!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that woman will be in the garage for the next few weeks trying to figure out how the darn thing works (maybe he did that on purpose!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CONGRATULATIONS to my Mom and Dad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love them and am so happy for them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They plan to go to Crave, at Midtown Crossing, tomorrow evening to celebrate.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last night…last night I had a wonderful time at Bonefish Grill with my friends James and Amy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy smokes though, watch out for Wednesday evenings at Bonefish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer (which is my absolute favorite) is on special for just $5!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing what people will do for a $3 discount on shrimp at a higher end restaurant where $3 really isn’t going to make too much of a difference on your total bill!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean really, people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think for myself, after ordering two glasses of wine and the Bang Bang Shrimp dinner, my total came to around $43 with tip and tax, which is about what I had budgeted for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was super delicious and I’m excited to eat the leftovers soon!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Speaking of eating…I am currently in the process of consuming a HUGE piece of leftover cake from Pete’s birthday celebration on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeA_VbLVQrs7N83Us_L7eW4u-IIoidr6VgU1ZdAxi3O7PuvoepwPCIkPWLPu7GqGd4Zfc4IRdI2qV4XR343iEjbrs005KUdr2hfJLFNZnBzzs_mIb2iZVSY5z6uN-7lG00zz4ow5Ycv4/s1600/2011-06-19_13-54-20_494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeA_VbLVQrs7N83Us_L7eW4u-IIoidr6VgU1ZdAxi3O7PuvoepwPCIkPWLPu7GqGd4Zfc4IRdI2qV4XR343iEjbrs005KUdr2hfJLFNZnBzzs_mIb2iZVSY5z6uN-7lG00zz4ow5Ycv4/s320/2011-06-19_13-54-20_494.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">White cake with vanilla frosting from the Cake Gallery…I couldn’t believe it when I set eyes on it this morning! </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Shocked, I told my Dad I couldn’t believe there was still left over cake in their house and no one had told me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I been living in the same house as that cake, it would have been gone and I would have been doing two a days at the gym!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness it was a late discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cake and hotdogs = my favorite food = yummo!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinRi_FCZmZOEL1Q3b7t8rUpW0HYq-c3B7gubsID3biHn3jeUBCMDJGbG2_TLBUXFQtwu2tk8AjyhtfAos6FBADOPfblF_0WGfVpSEIIE9_jai6PFF-FfOck9WMBAstWwWEbhGiEhppk8/s1600/2011-06-23_13-09-26_876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinRi_FCZmZOEL1Q3b7t8rUpW0HYq-c3B7gubsID3biHn3jeUBCMDJGbG2_TLBUXFQtwu2tk8AjyhtfAos6FBADOPfblF_0WGfVpSEIIE9_jai6PFF-FfOck9WMBAstWwWEbhGiEhppk8/s320/2011-06-23_13-09-26_876.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will be partaking in happy hour here in just a few short hours with my best friend Michelle, YIPPEE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I never get one on one time with her anymore due to our busy, busy schedules!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am fortunate enough to get to see her once a week at volleyball on Monday night’s, but it’s just not the same as true girl time.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrZppDP5q_Z46JIYXdJIyGt6M9xk4oUwjIujdkUosFagA7V1FmjJg6L5_esVeJSxYpX5TFrgHF0XfQ2QvpKi1H-MQyLm6zeA07Frrr3KjDrfF-Q3uGRp9Dkn6_C93TIbfZUGO-N9awhA/s1600/2011-06-19_13-54-05_765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrZppDP5q_Z46JIYXdJIyGt6M9xk4oUwjIujdkUosFagA7V1FmjJg6L5_esVeJSxYpX5TFrgHF0XfQ2QvpKi1H-MQyLm6zeA07Frrr3KjDrfF-Q3uGRp9Dkn6_C93TIbfZUGO-N9awhA/s320/2011-06-19_13-54-05_765.jpg" width="180" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Be sure to sign up at the right side of this page for my Google Group “FollowAnastasia” which will allow you to receive email updates each time I post!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cheerio!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial monospaced for SAP"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia Ephtyhia</span></span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236917244511602409.post-7888417609244278102011-06-22T15:24:00.000-07:002011-06-23T10:11:10.079-07:00A New Beginning!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yassas (that’s hello in Greek to all of you)!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh my, goodness…let me start by saying I’m so excited to start this blog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’ve been reading a few of the blogs that my best girlfriends have started over the last year or so, and found myself thinking it’s time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of you know that I am an avid journal-er (is that even a word?), and indeed, do still keep a diary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those books (yes, there are volumes) contain everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I say everything, I mean everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you all know what I’m talking about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that my first diary entry was in 1993!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is an 11 year old thinking, anyway, that’s significant enough to write in a book!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s continued on ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In taking a step back and thinking about where I am today in my life, I thought to myself that it’s time to hang up the old diary and try something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while this selfishly is for me, a new place to keep my diary and another way for me to document my life (in addition to my crazy scrapbooking addiction), I hope you enjoy it and please participate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parakalo (please!), post your thoughts and commentary, too!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You might be thinking, what’s up with the Cocktails, Party Dresses…and Snacks?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I thought it the perfect title to describe my life, as I know it today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that every time I would get my girlfriends together, I’d say “Get your party dresses on ladies, and let’s go have some cocktails”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well the truth holds the same for today, but the Snacks part has become a pivotal part of the equation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life, today, is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all grown up, in relationships, buying homes, getting married, having babies, and so while I still am totally about the cocktails and party dresses, my invites have now turned into “Get your fanciest pants on party people, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>come over and let’s have some cocktails and snacks”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re getting together at each other’s homes, going out for dinners, conversing over cocktails, and finally learning to live and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing better than having a few people over and enjoying a little food, a little drink and little camaraderie.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And because this is MY blog, I get to be cheesy (I’m normally the one gagging over people’s curdling Facebook posts).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I do apologize, but it’s mine and I can do and say what I want, so here it goes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am completely blessed to have the most amazing boyfriend any girl could ever ask for. Now I know, ladies, that you all think that your husband/boyfriend/significant other is the bee’s knees, but I’m telling you, mines the best!!! ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s handsome, funny, gracious, witty, too smart for his own good and a real ham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahhhh, Knox (smiling, smiling, smiling at the thought of him).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Knox was generous enough to let me have a few of my favorite people over for to his beautiful home last weekend for a little pool and barbeque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had an awesome time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My godson Jackson came over but could not get in the pool due to the thunderstorms that were surrounding us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adults (Knox and I, Jackson’s parent’s Liz and Jon Mehuron - Liz and I have been besties our whole lives - and Liz’s brother Zach and his girlfriend Kelli) had refreshing cocktails (I made my usual poolade of beer, vodka and lemonade) and some awesome snacks (which you’ll learn that for us has become synonymous with dinner).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The weekend ensued with a Saturday morning massage (Knox and I get a couples massage once a month), lunch, and an afternoon walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walk, A LOT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knox left for Lincoln to pack for his Canada trip and I went to my cousin Tonya’s wedding (Congrats!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday we celebrated my little brother Theo’s 22<sup>nd</sup> birthday and father’s day at Champion’s Club with a little lunch/brunch, and then headed home for some pool time (I’m determined to figure out this water aerobics thing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday evening we had dinner with Knox’s family at Parker’s Smokehouse in Ashland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve never been, it’s delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happily stuffed, we headed home for a walk and prepped for the upcoming work week, which brings us to today!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More to come, but it’s a start<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It’s almost time for cocktails (and a work dress) as I’m headed to dinner at Bonefish Grill with two of my favorite friends, James and Amy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James and Amy were two of my co-workers in my old Chanel make up artistry days, and we’ve remained close ever since.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bang, bang shrimp, here I come!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With love,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Anastasia</span></span></div>Anastasiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833784961853568594noreply@blogger.com2