Hey, hi, hello! Let us tell you about our family.
We’re basically your normal suburban crew, except….Okay, we fibbed. We admit that we’re a bit odd. Let us tell you why.
In the fall of 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, our “COVID Bubble” had a whacky idea. We were two broke AF couples trying to pay down medical and student-loan debt, survive a pandemic, and try to live a low waste lifestyle that is good for our planet. Instead of existing as two couples trying to juggle all that from two homes, with two sets of bills, and two sets of responsibilities, we had an idea.
Why not combine households to tackle all of those things as a family? Ean and Reneelynn are siblings, after all! Besides, we believe that family is whatever you make it to be. We discussed how less travel back and forth between our homes, less energy usage, and less financial stress would mean more time and money to dedicate to a sustainable lifestyle.
On New Years Eve, 2020, we finally asked ourselves, “What on earth do we have to lose?” Since the answer was literally, “the Earth,” we decided to risk it for the biscuit. A million tiny details had to happen in the proper order – selling one house, and buying another, all with the deadline of an apartment lease looming ever closer so we didn’t all have to cram our whole crew into a 750 square foot home. It was BIG STRESS, but we made it here.
Here is where Morgan was born and raised. Here is where Reneelynn, Ean and Cade have made their home. Here is where we’ve all taken our sustainability goals to the next level. Here is where we live our authentic selves out loud, in a place that has always valued conformity above all else. And here is where we have tough conversations, create unshakeable bonds in our community, and bring back to life a place that has been stripped of all diverse culture and ecology.
We are Zero Waste. We are loud. We are family. And we’d LOVE to share our journey with you.
Morgan
The OG Sustainbility Nerd
Heyoooo, i’m Morgan! Born and raised right here in Nebraska, I’m the resident “I grew up less than a mile from here,” person. I’d always wanted to be a cool old garden lady, and when our kiddo was born I asked myself, “What am I waiting for?” I left my job in the international logistics world, and decided that I might as well use my fancy schmancy History degree for something worthwhile. I started blogging, and spent those long pandemic days with the kiddo, learning everything I possibly could about how our family could up our Zero Waste game and tackle the endless social justice issues alongside it. I sometimes have moments that I have to ask myself if this is my real life. Have we really come this far? And are there really that many folks who are ready to join us on this journey? The answer is always yes, and I couldn’t be happier that our family has combined forces to turn our passions into a sustainable force to be reckoned with.
Ean
The Finance Guy
I’m Ean! I was born and raised in Sioux City, IA. After high school I went to Iowa State University, and majored in Supply Chain Management. After graduation I accepted a job in Omaha. It was a great decision because that’s where I met Morgan. We dated for a year and just decided one day that we wanted to get married so that’s what we did. Not too long after that, we found out that we were going to be parents. Our son being born ended up being the major catalyst to us to set down the path that we are on now. We have a responsibility to create a better world for him, and other young children like him, growing up on a post Climate Change planet.
Reneelynn
The Introvert
Hi all, my name is Reneelynn. I was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa before heading off to university in Philadelphia to earn a degree in Biopsychology. My journey to sustainability started in university, where I saw both small and large small acts of sustainability happening on a daily basis. Since graduating and moving to Omaha, I have worked to be mindful and purposeful in the actions that I take and to always move towards sustainability. In our home I am the resident organizer, problem solver, and generally can be found sitting on the floor instead of on the furniture.
Cade
The Handyman
Howdy, I’m Cade! Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, my introduction to a sustainable lifestyle was born mostly out of necessity. Having to make do with what you have drives a certain flavor of sustainability into a person, and I excel at accomplishing tasks with limited resources. I’ve spent about a decade working in the retail sector, and I always enjoy a nice conversation with a new friend. I’m our resident handyman and big-picture guy, and I’m always covered in dirt and laughs!