Update

I've been neglecting my blog lately, but I've been doing so much that I'd like to tell you about! So I'm going to write a quick update today to catch you up.

Monday:
Monday was my first day back at Mizzou for the Fall Semester. I only had to attend one class, and it was the class I'm a TA for so it was completely stress-free. I didn't have to worry about taking notes and learning the material. It was a great way to start the week.

I met up with my friend Julie for lunch. Julie lived a life of leisure with her grandparents last year, but has joined me at Mizzou to pursue a graduate degree. We ate lunch at Panera and caught up on life.

After I got home I went walking with my friend Jacqueline. We hadn't had a chance to really talk since everything happened to my family, so it was nice to catch up with her and get a little exercise in as well!

That night I met up with my friend Sarah. She and I went to Stephens together and now she's living in Chicago working for Aramark. We went to Tellers for dinner and we both had the sesame chicken...if you haven't tried it, you need to! It was excellent!

Tuesday:
Tuesday was my first real day of classes. I have an 8am class (Sociological Research Methods) and a 2pm Statistics class. I really wasn't looking forward to either, but I think both of them will work out for the best. Meaning...I think I can get an A.

In addition to the two classes I'm taking, I lead a discussion group as a TA. I also had my first discussion group on Tuesday and I think it went really well! The discussion was a little slow, but what can you expect from students on the first day? I'm also really on top of my grading, I'm determined not to get behind!

When I got home, my friend Beth called to see if I wanted to run errands with her. Of course, I did! We went to Michaels and Hobby Lobby looking for plastic containers for children to fill with sand. We actually found some at Hobby Lobby and we pretty much bought them out of everything they had. hahahaha Good times.

Tuesday night I met up with Sarah again, this time with Lauren and Amy, two more friends from Stephens. We started out with dinner at Sake, our favorite sushi place, and then headed to Quintons to hang out on the rooftop patio. I've missed those girls so much!

Wednesday:
And today is Wednesday. It is only 8am so nothing has really happened yet. I feel like I've done so much already this week! I've seen more friends in the past two days than I have in the past month.

Sorry I haven't been on top of my blog lately, I hope to get back in the swing of things soon!

First Day

(Picture of Princess Leonor attending her first day of school)

The first day of classes always brings jitters. I'm experience a few more jitters than usual, today. This semester I'm taking Statistics (yikes!) and Sociology Research Methods (ugh!) I'm not looking forward to either class, but in addition to the classes I'm taking, I'm teaching two discussion groups for Dr. Wilson's Social Appearance in Time and Space. I love this class and I'm looking forward to it! I'm also proposing, writing, and defending my Master's thesis this semester! Whew, it'll be busy but I'm ready for that Master's degree and I'll work my butt off to make sure I get it by December.

Hooked On...Vintage Wedding Dresses

Is your wedding dress sitting in a closet? Do you have your mom's or grandmother's wedding dress thrown in the attic? Is it just taking up space and you're not sure what to do with it!?

Donate it to my private collection. I'm hooked on vintage wedding dresses! As a graduate student studying the history of textiles and apparel, I've decided to start my own historic costume collection focusing exclusively on wedding apparel.

When making a donation to my private collection, you can rest assured that your gown will be preserved for generations to enjoy. If you'd like to provide information about the wearer, such as when and where they were married and favorite details about the ceremony, we appreciate all the information we can get. We would also treasure pictures of the bride wearing her dress. Students become more interested in the garment when they know more about the wearer. In addition, I'm working on an online database for students to access when researching wedding apparel.

I'm interested in all types of wedding apparel. Did you wear a suit instead of a white gown? I would still be honored to add it to my collection!

Donate:
-Your wedding dress
-Your mother's wedding dress
-Your grandmother's wedding dress
-Pictures from weddings featuring the wedding gown
-Foreign wedding dresses
- Or anything else you think may interest me!

Contact me at ashley.hasty@gmail.com if you'd like to make a donation. Since I'm still a graduate student my funds are tight, however I would be willing to help pay for the cost of shipping.

Missing him

Grandma told me to find a man who treated me as well as my Grandpa treated her and who loved me as much as my Grandpa loved her. I did.

Almost 24 years ago I was born on Grandpa's birthday. He always said I was his favorite birthday present of all time. This will be the first year I'll celebrate without him. Tomorrow is my Grandpa's visitation and Saturday is his funeral. I love and miss him more than I thought possible.

He was a prince of a man

Yesterday my Grandpa passed away. He was only home from the hospital for an hour and a half. He must have really wanted to spend his final hour at home with his wife. I miss him so much it hurts.

Eat that, Get more

This is copied from my mom's blog. I couldn't have said it better. (Bob is my dad.)

Jake is to the left of Irene in the blue sweater, Amos is to the right in plaid.

Bob's dear Uncle Amos passed away Thursday evening. Uncle Amos lived with Bob and his brother Gary and his mom and dad all of Bob's life. Uncle Amos was like a second dad (grandpa) to all of us. He made the best chocolate chip cookies and my all time favorite vegetable beef soup and chili in the world. He will be and already is, missed so much by all of us.

Bob's dad remains in the hospital after going in five weeks ago for a routine gall bladder operation. Mysterious infections set in and he has been transported to the University Hospital where they seem no closer to solving the mystery of his illness. However, Jake continues to worsen so he needs our prayers greatly right now. On Friday our priest administered Last Rites with nearly all our family present. When we were praying Jake made the sign of the cross with us. We clearly are not ready to let him go.

Please pray!

Update since my mom posted this: Uncle Amos' visitation was held on Sunday and his funeral on Monday. Gary wrote a few beautiful words about what Uncle Amos meant to all of us. If I can get my hands on it, I'll post it here. The funeral was beautiful completed by a 21 gun salute. Many, many tears were shed but we know he is now in a better place.

Grandpa will be moved from the University hospital today and taken home where he and my Grandma wanted to spend his last days.

Troubles

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

My friend Emily sent this to me after I shared with her the troubles my family is enduring this month. It has become my mantra.

Le grand tour de ma maison {My Office}

My office is definitely still a work in progress. In fact, these pictures are already old. Right now there is a large air mattress in the middle of the room where we sleep when my Grandma stays with us, so it is difficult to get a good feel for how we want the room arranged. My favorite parts? The large farm table my parents gave me from their basement, the antique sewing machine, and my white desk that I found at a garage sale. More pictures of my office are to come when it is completed.

Le grand tour de ma maison {The Kitchen}

I love how bright our kitchen is. I bought those pictures my sophomore year of college and I still love them. They kind of remind me of my husband and myself. My favorite parts? That cute little cake stand I found for $5 at Share and Care and my great-grandmother's wooden table.

Le grand tour de ma maison {Master Bedroom}

The master bedroom is still a work in progress. We are currently using the furniture my parents purchased when they first got married....over 30 years ago. My favorite part? The black, white, blue and gray color scheme. It came about by accident, but I adore it.

Le grand tour de ma maison {Living Room}

As you know, Eric and I just moved into a new home. We now rent a duplex with a garage! Our new place has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a garage. We are really excited about the garage. As we unpack and settle into our new home, I'll give a tour room by room. The first room to be completed was our living room. My favorite parts? Those fabulously painted teal mirror and shelf.

Hooked On...Las Vegas

I've been a terrible blogger lately! Between my vacation to Las Vegas, moving to a new duplex, and being without internet at home, I haven't found time to update my blog! I hope it doesn't feel neglected :) Maybe it enjoyed a week vacation! I want to tell you all about my trip to Vegas, we had SO much fun! Here's a brief pictoral overview of what we did. For more pictures, visit me on Facebook.

Here I am all packed up ready for my parents to arrive. Have no fear, this luggage isn't all mine! In fact, the only luggage that is mine is the small black and white suitcase and the yellow carryon on top of it. The rest belongs to Eric!! See, I'm a light packer...compared to my husband!
We stayed at the Flamingo and they actually had flamingos! I was in awe, flamingos are such graceful and beautiful birds.
The first night we arrived, we went to see Cirque du Soleil's Love which features Beatles music. Oh. My. Gosh. I was in sensory overload! If you've never seen a production by Cirque du Soleil, you need to! It is like nothing else you'll ever experience.

Of course I had to do a little gambling. This was the first time I had been to Vegas since I turned 21! I gambled a total of $8 and lost it all.
One evening Eric, Dad, and I went downtown. This is a picture of me enjoying the Oxygen Bar. I'd never heard of such a thing until my cousin David told me about it so when I saw it in Vegas I just had to try it! It was pretty cool. I think it is supposed to be similar to aroma therapy but you have the option of pure oxygen too.
We ate a Bobby Flay's MESA Grill at Caesar's Palace. It was delicious! I'm definitly hooked on good food.
After Mesa Grill, we stopped by the Bellagio to see the water show. Again, it was spectacular. Who could've guessed that water would be so entertaining. I loved it the last time I was in Vegas (about 10 years ago) and I love it still.
Finally, we spent a lot of time at the pool. The Flamingo has an amazing pool. It was huge and spacious and full!

Moving Day!!

If only moving was REALLY this glamorous...