Black Thumb

So for Mother's Day last year (2009) I bought my mom a little rose bush for her desk at work. I liked it so much I bought myself one too at the same time! I don't know how long hers lasted...but I know mine has had some close calls with death! Yet, she (my rose bush) is still with me and although she's green...she has lost all her leaves (see picture). I don't know what I did! I've been watering her and even put her up against the window I sit by during the day so she gets extra light for her leaves.

I am desperately trying to keep her alive, so I have handed over responsibility today to this lady at work who, in times past, has brought my little rose bush back from certain death. Every time I get my plant back in full health, it always lives longer than the time before, so I'm definitely getting better, but I also feel like a helpless child saying "fix it" to her mom, after seeing she's played too hard with her favorite toy!

Any ways, I am giving this lady my broken plant (again) hoping she can reverse whatever damage I may have caused it, so I can keep my beautiful plant alive on my desk and maybe, just maybe, I'll learn how to keep it alive even longer next time!!

Project!

So, I'm pretty broke right now and even though I moved into my house in July, I haven't had the funds to replace the broken window. I've had the idea to paint a mural on it or something for sometime now, but I've been putting it off for things like: school, work, sleep, laziness, etc. Well, it's a long weekend for me and my idea has been on my mind more often and that is always a good sign that I need to do it, so I did!

Here is what I did:

 First I had to paint my base sky.

Then I painted my clouds. I watched a tutorial on how to paint clouds...I think they turned out pretty great!

 Then I added my balloon...

Then I added some depth and contrast...

Last but not least I gave my balloon a string!! I think it looks pretty good, what do you think?

Over all, I'm pretty excited about my new window, it was inspired by my book I wrote...some day I will publish it and you will know what it all means. :}

Wall of Goals

I am happy to report that my Wall of Goals that I started last year (in my protest to 'New Year's Resolutions') was a big success. Not only did I acheive all that I had set out to do (take more pictures, graduate with my MAED, 3-month supply of food storage, search, ponder and pray...etc) I was able to see a strength in me that I haven't really noticed until now which is: I typically acheive the goals I lay out for myself. I didn't notice it until a couple of weeks ago, but I am actually pretty good about setting managable goals that I can reach, and even better is that I end up acheiving those goals over time!!

I am working on my goals for this year and will update my wall as soon as I have them ready. Here's to another successful year!

Bumps and Lumps

So I have this bump on the right side of my neck. Right on the curve where my neck meets my shoulder. I made a doctors appointment to get it checked out since I've had it for about a month now and although it's not growing (or at least I haven't noticed if it's growing) it does feel tender to the touch. I did a little research and it could just be a small cyst or something gross like that but I'd feel more comfortable knowing what it is and I don't really want it there no matter what it is...so I'll see if there's something that can be done either way.

Spoiled

I'm really not spoiled. I work hard, get a lot accomplished, and mostly (I feel like) the world still poops me out into the worst situations. Now...I don't know if it's just by my crazy luck that I have happened to get my way recently, or if my battle scars from life have finally reached the outer layer of my personal aura giving me a 'don't mess with me' attitude, but something has changed. I have been getting what I ask for. Yes, sometimes it's not exactly what I ask for, but for the most part it's pretty darn close. Here is an example of what I'm talking about.

Example:

Lifetime. I joined with a 'signing bonus' of $100 that I thought I could use on anything at the gym (the spa, cafe, apparel) - turns out that it was $100 to use on stupid stuff like trainer sessions or tennis lessons (things that I would never use), and I would have to use the $100 within 30 days of joining. So, two days after joining I march right down to that gym and request a cancellation. I talk to the manager about my misunderstanding and said that money would be better spent for me towards my membership or at the cafe and I had no interest in the offers they were giving me. So you know what he did, he gave me a $50 credit to my account (taking care of next months membership) and he gave me $50 in gift cards for anything at the gym that don't expire. Plus he left the $100 on my account in the event I changed my mind about the lessons. CRAZY! I walked away shocked and very happy!

At Verizon Wireless (VW) something similar happened...my blackberry of almost 2-years freaked out on me and I took it into the VW store to get it fixed. After 25 minutes or so the lady said the phone was toast and I would need to get a new one and since I paid the insurance on it they would sell me one from the store for $50 instead of making me go through the insurance company...I was a little annoyed since they wouldn't budge on my phone credit that was coming to me in 15-days. So I just requested they cancel my service. The manager who over heard me came over and was like, "if we gave you a replacement phone and waived the $50 fee associated with that would you keep your service with us?" I was like, 'yes' and so I got my replacement phone for free. It isn't pink, but it works and it will last me another year at least (my pink one was really on its last leg).

I might be on the short end of the stick tomorrow, but I sure have enjoyed coming out on top these past few months.

Practical: Work-out and Make-up

Well, I cancelled my membership at the yoga studio I was going to and joined Lifetime Fitness. I get a lot more stuff (including yoga classes) and pay the same. Yesterday I joined and worked out and it felt so GOOD! I'm gonna tone up and get healthy. While I was in the mood for pampering/buying things for myself, I decided to get some make-up today.

My Spoils

So, I know I don't wear a lot of this stuff...like ever. But I always get such a thrill when I buy new make-up!! My last tube of sample mascara ran out about 3 weeks ago and I have been putting off having to buy anything for a while, but I was in the right mood so I went to Ulta and got mascara and eye-liner (two very practical things that I actually use).

I think my practicality is wearing thin, so I'm going to quit while I'm ahead.

RIP Oscar

At the beginning of November I lost Oscar to a condition called Bloat. It was very traumatic and I am still heart broken. This is me sitting on the floor, holding him before he was put to sleep. :(
He was a sweet puppy.

Let's Go Jeeping

Moab, UT...all I can say is, 'wow.'

I went up with James and his brother (who owns the Jeeps) and spent the best 4-days of my life, riding trails, and coming close to death (a few times).They weren't joking when they named this trail...

Stopping for lunch at the top. I got to ride the Jeep I'm sitting on...almost flipped it once...

D.O.G. pretends to be a lap dog, but deep down, he is an aspiring mountain mutt.

ATTENTION!! The next few photos are clippings showing the aftermath of Ashley vs. the Rock. You will notice on the right corners the sandstone left its weak mark (easily wiped away with your finger).

But you will notice, the Rock had a much harder time! Dang!Double whammy!

The Rock definitely took a hit! :) I leave a mark wherever I go!

Driveway Drama

So, I get home today after working late and running to the Wal-Mart to get some HE detergent (laundry!!!) and some red truck is blocking my drive way! I sit there thoroughly confused for a second...and then I start to analyze...what should I do? Who should I call? Does this warrant a 9-1-1 call...well, I reason with myself, I'm not in any immediate danger, but, I say to myself, I can't get into my driveway and what if someone is in that car waiting for me to get out?...I don't have just the normal police number, so I decide it's worth my safety to call 9-1-1 and see what I should do.


They were really nice and gave me the direct line to the Mesa police. So I call and they dispatch some officers to see what's up...well, that makes me feel better, so I park my car on the street and jump my wall as far away from that truck as possible (they could still be waiting for me!) and I walk as fast as I can without looking ridiculous the whole time I'm watching the truck for movement. When I get into my house I set my alarm (this is what we train for people) and make sure every door in my house is secure. Just for a fleeting moment a thought occurs to me 'what if I locked the bad guys in with me!?' but I shove that thought out of my mind.


I call a tow truck service to see if that is another possibility and it turns out that since the truck is not IN my driveway, just in front of it, there's nothing they can do. The guy suggested I call the police but he said they wouldn't be able to do anything about it either. That was disheartening news! I start imagining my life with no driveway. This just can't be, I think to myself. So I go check out my video surveillance and find out that the car has been parked like that since 4:30pm this afternoon! And the culprit was my next door neighbor! Seriously?? Well, the video calmed my nerves enough so I could start a load in my washer, which is good. When the police arrived I explained what I had seen in my video and where the person was, and he said that if he went next door and the car didn't belong to anyone they would be able to tow it for me (SWEET!) and off he went to my neighbor's house.

Look at how much space there was to park! Instead, right in front of my driveway was the place to be.

Not even 2 minutes later the truck starts and just sits there for a really long time. When it finally starts to move, it looks like it's gonna die any minute! It could barely turn around and when they pushed on the accelerator, it sounded like an old smoker coughing their lung out. Any ways, they eventually got turned around and parked on the sidewalk on the other side of the street. What an evening! I'm glad the police helped me, but I feel bad for that poor truck, I can only imagine that it died in front of my driveway and the driver was like 'yeah, that's good enough.'

In other news D.O.G. had his first two ticks! Yuck! I burnt them off...that was kinda fun.

Woot Woot!

So, I finished my Master's degree!!! And for once, I think I'm okay with where I am at in life. I don't feel the need to jump into a new degree programs; I am not looking for a new place to live; I don't feel the need to cut my hair or do anything drastic. I just feel SO good to be officially done with school. The problem I'm running into now, is trying to decide what to do next with my life. School has always seemed like such a huge, never ending mountain that would take years to finish...I hadn't really planned my life further than, 'graduate with my masters before I have kids' and well, now I've graduated and I'm no where near having kids. So...I think I'm going to get my motorcycle license - no, I won't be buying a motorcycle, I just want the thrill of having the license...I'm also getting my passport before the end of the year.

In other news, I'm taking delivery of my new washer and dryer today!! Yay for new appliances! I moved into my house July 15th and I have only done laundry 3 times! Yes...I have a lot of clothes.

Until next time - Ashley

Cruel and Unusual

So my dad just called me, at 7am, to tell me that he was looking out his window and it was foggy. AND that he could see the Space Needle!! I'm like, "What?!? Are you seriously in Seattle and you're calling me to rub it in my face?!" He just laughed and said he thought I would be happy for the news! I'm sure! Of course I'm happy, but I'd be even happier if I was actually there with him! I mean, he can see the Space Needle from his room for pete's sake! I appreciate the thought and phone call, but unless he was planning to fly me up there...I think this was cruel and unusual. :)

I love you dad!!

I like this photo...that's all for now :)

Life from Birds-Eye

I am closing on my house July 17th! I am kind of nervous about it, but the closer it gets to the close of escrow, the more excited I get! I had ADT come by and give me an estimate on video surveillance in addition to my alarm system. I will definitely feel a little safer. Wednesday is my 24th birthday and I'm going to Disneyland because they are doing a promotion for 2009 where you get in free on your birthday! I couldn't find any one to go with me last minute, so I'm going by myself (I know it's a little lame, but I don't care). I'm staying with Becca and I will be visiting Gina while I'm there too. I was going to try to do the trip in a day so I could get back in time for work the next day, but it started to stress me out, so I gave myself more time and forgot about work.

About a month ago my neck spazed out on me. So much so that I couldn't move it at all without muscle spasms shooting up my neck and into my shoulder blades. I went to a chiropractor and a massage therapist after almost 2 weeks of pain! About a day after my neck started to get better and it has been great, up until about 3 days ago when I started to feel the same ache coming back. So yesterday I tried to fix the problem before it got as bad as it had before and went to the massage therapist straight away but it didn't seem to do much for me. I might have to go again tomorrow...I started taking vitamin B again and stood under hot water for about 20 minutes, so hopefully that helps my aches before I get to Disneyland. Boy...I feel really old and crippled.

I am almost done with my MAED. Tuesday starts my 4th to last class and I can't be more excited then I am now. I decided to take a break from "degree" type education. When I finish my MAED I think I'm going to take some interior design classes - I am hoping they will help me with my house plans as I start my projects when I move in. I want my dad to help me make a garden like he has at his house. I also want to plant grass and have a luscious lawn and sprinkler system. All in good time I suppose.

D.O.G. got his rabies shots and teeth pulled finally. For a paper I wrote in a class not to long ago I did some research into vaccinations for dogs, and learned that there is some controversy in that industry. Apparently there are studies out there that can prove, or at least want to prove that dogs are given too many shots in a relatively short period in time. Some studies are tying health related problems in dogs, to the over-done vaccines required for dogs. My poor puppy is only 4lbs and he gets the same shot an 80 pound dog would get. It concerns me a great deal.

Any ways, this is where I leave off - until next time!

The Ball Keeps Rolling

So I have to say life is good. Now, don't confuse that statement with, "life is perfect." Because I know that's not true, but life is good. I am making offers on foreclosed homes in the Valley with the help of my parents and it has been such a growing experience! I have seen some of the worst kept homes in my life! I never thought a house could be so trashed before...amazing how some people live, or the state they leave their homes in. Any ways, in general I am doing well. Just this week I de-matted poor D.O.G.'s hair. His hair is all shinny and clean now, it looks wonderful and I bet it feels so much better for him. My little priss of a dog... :o) I want another dog and I have been looking into black Standard Poodles. I have seen a few of these dogs in real life and first of all, my reaction was "what is that thing!" These dogs are huge! and they are 3rd? smartest breed in dog hierarchy. Lastly, when they aren't all trimmed up to be shown they are super cute. So I've been doing some research, looking around at rescue shelters for starters to see if there are any older dogs needing a good home. In addition to school I'm also taking some leadership training this week - which is freakin' awesome - and this weekend is Memorial Day so I will have a 4-day weekend!! Sweet!

I finished my Percy Jackson series and waiting for the next book to come out from my 39 Clues series. In the mean time I bought Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence, both on CD and will be listening to them when I get them. At this point I have kinda run out of things to read and keep me entertained, but life goes on.

Good Time - Old Times

So I have picked up counted cross stitching again. Since my Mickey Mouse baby blanket I did many moons ago I have not picked up the ol' needle and tread. So, in the middle of last week I dug out my old things, dusted them off and started a new baby blanket. This blanket will have a Charlie Brown theme. So far so good, I forgot how fast it goes once you get the hang of it. I'm so excited I started it up though. It reminds me of my good ol' days when I would just cross stitch all day listening to the water falling into the fish pound outside my bedroom window. Now I'm listening to students filling out their student applications, but the feeling is the same. :)

Baseball season is back!! Time to buy some peanuts and eat some ballpark goodies! I am still working on my MAED, that is almost done. I was looking at my schedule today and I only have 6 classes left...can you believe that? I'm going to try to take 2 of them online so I can double up. I will still graduate at the same time, but I will have some inbetween time to goof off. :)

Selflessness

I have been on a fun trip to Washington State for the past 4 days. Tomorrow is the day I must return and I have mixed emotions about it. I am sad to be returning because I do enjoy the weather, company and most of all feeling I gain from this environment. On the other hand, I feel restless living from my bag and I miss my dog. I have spent my time on this trip looking for residence and job opportunities and have been successful on many levels, but I overall do not feel comfortable with my desires. I want so badly to remove myself from Arizona, but I just do not feel right now is the time.

While I have been in Washington I spent some time with my old friends. I feel impressed to say I learned a deep truth - one that has been below the surface of my mind for some time, but didn't break the surface until now: sometimes Heavenly Father just wants us to change our attitude. Trials, answers to prayers, and experiences don't always have to create a change of action or direction of life. I think maybe these experiences and feelings can just lead to a change of attitude. It's a humbling thought that maybe I'm not supposed to move to Washington right now, but maybe my attitude towards my situation should change. Heavenly Father knows what He needs from me, I just need to change my attitude so I can be more of a help to Him and focus less on myself. My new focus will be on the people who God has put in my path.

Love,

Ashley

Getting to know you...

So...I want to start off by saying I am not an over achiever. I mean, I do a lot with my life, I have a Bachelors, I'm working on my Masters, I travel, read and scrapbook among other things. But generally I am quite lazy...I know you might say otherwise, but you'd be wrong. Any ways, the reason I do so much can bascially be organized under two reasons: sometimes I can't say no, and other times get confused. Well...I was at the book store and I had a, "can't say no" moment. I bought 3 books in the store and had just moments before ordered another from Amazon. Two of the books from the store were from the, The 39 Clues series which, if you like young adult stories, is awesome so far. Then I got this book called, The Kindly Ones and I don't know what was going through my mind because this book is 1000 pages, the print is super small and it's about a Nazi officer's life after the war...not the most fun or uplifting plot! Then I ordered the 5th and last book in the Percy Jackson series off Amazon which is another young adult book. AND on top of that I am reading a life story piece on a friend's mother. Well, I started the life story a couple of days ago and I'm about half way through it but when I got my new books I got all excited and so I started the 1000 page book; which was a mistake because it is very sad. After a few days I needed something fun so start my next book in the 39 Clues series, but I can't remember exactly where the book picks up so I got a little unmotivated with that book too. Here's my dilemma: I need to finish all these books before my Percy Jackson book comes out in the beginning of May. Can I do it? Ugh, I sure hope so!

Tomorrow I am breaking into the summer weather by laying out all afternoon. I had decided upon this Monday and when I went home I found out that my community pool is closed until Sunday! Ugh, so I'm heading over to my parent's house so I can still do what I wanted.

Okay so that last sentence is the inspiration for this last part. I am a brat. Maybe a few days ago if you had thrown that label on me I would have disagreed, but you know what? I'm a brat. I know what I want and I demand it. I wouldn't say I'm vindictive or mean or even pushy - it's just that when I know I want something (or don't want something), I pretty much need to have things go my way otherwise I get annoyed. I'm learning about different learning styles and I think the reason I am so determined and passionate about my likes and dislikes is because I am an Abstract/Sequential learner, so the way I process and carry thing out are abstract (based on how I feel) but very sequential (systematic).

One last note, figure out your learning style; figure out your love language, and figure out where you fit in your birth order. You have to live with yourself for your whole life - so get to know you!!

Kisses,

Ashley

Chances

I feel it's my obligation to confess that I have not been making my bed and it is now March and I have failed to meet my first goal I set out to accomplish in 2009. Do I feel a bit lame? Not at all. I have never even thought about making my bed until I set up this goal and I promise you I thought more about the awful state of my bed more times in the past 3 months then the rest of my life combined. Besides, half the battle is making the goal and even though I didn't meet the requirements, I do not feel like I fail the task.

In other news, Amy and Jason are proud parents of a little baby girl!! They named her Olivia, totally taking my own baby name right out from underneath me. But as I am not currently pregnant actually, as I am not even in a relationship I have no real hold on the name. Besides, I will still name my little girl Olivia. Just because Amy used it once doesn't mean it's taken. I don't play that game, a name is a name and I have wanted to name my little girl Olivia forever. If I get the chance.

Happy Valentine's Day

See's Candy is the only way to go on Valentine's Day - even if you don't have a Valentine go out and get you some chocolate! My personal favorite are the truffles...I really can't get enough of them and it's really the only time of the year I splurge! Of course this year I do have a Valentine so I picked him up some truffles too. This being our first Valentine's Day together I didn't want to be without my truffles so I did not trust him with the responsibility of picking me up chocolate...next year however, he will be well trained and able to do the right thing on his own.

Other important news: I got my first gun today!! I'm so excited! I'd tell you what kind of gun it is...but I'm not sure myself. All I know is it's a revolver and it's nice!

Showers and Tumble Weeds

So last night I was driving home in a wonderful rain storm! I was loving every minute of it, cursing the Arizona drivers and their lack of ability to drive in any other weather then sunshine and blue skies. I had almost convinced myself that I was driving home to my hometown Sammamish, WA when suddenly out of nowhere a tumble weed gets blown across the freeway. My happy bubble popped almost instantly and I had to chuckle to myself...it's almost like this state rubs itself in my face sometimes. Like it knew I was thinking of Washington so it threw a tumble weed in my way as if to say, "Hello dirt and dust!"

Ugh, I hate Arizona...

Bah

Reading books is so much fun for a few reasons, (1) it allows me to escape into the world of my character and be in their shoes while I let my shoes air out for a bit, (2) I have the funniest dreams when I am reading a good book. My dreams are always more exciting and memorable. I just started the third book in the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. So last night I was swinging through trees, answering phone calls (I never really leave my job) and fighting off evil monsters from greek mythology.

Today is my sisters baby shower, I can't believe I will be an Aunt in two weeks officially, but any time if she decides she's had enough and wants to come sooner. I'm so excited!

Goals, to be or not to be...that IS the Question!

So here I am at work...and I totally did not make my bed this morning...I didn't even think about it until just about now. And can I just confess that since I have made my little goal, I have only made my bed once...and it wasn't even in the morning before I left. It was after I got home and maybe an hour before I went to bed...haha. Any suggestions on how to jump start my brain into at least remembering what I am supposed to be working on?

I did go to the cannery last night, I got 5 boxes full of canned goods. Sweet. I also have been taking more pictures like I wanted, I am just struggling with the whole making my bed thing.

Help!

Ashley

A Little Disney for All

Here is a page I just did with me at Disneyland. Pretty cute huh? Eeyore was so soft and while I had taken a lot of photos with different characters all around the park, I think Eeyore was my favorite because he was so sweet and soft. In the top right picture I'm with Kiera Spear, man I remember when I was changing her diapers and now she and I are going down Splash Mountain 4 times in a row! I am laying on Pluto's bed in Mickey Mouse's house in the bottom right picture. Disneyland was so much fun and I love how easy it is to make scrapbooks!

Until next time,

Ashley

My Dog

D.O.G. is special to say the least. This afternoon while I was letting him out to go pee at James' house he did the funniest thing. D.O.G. has a 2 step system when he pees:
1. location, location, location - he has determined he pees best in the front yard. He can really get focused - plus he gets to check and send his little emails to all his other dog pals around the neighborhood.
2. When he finally finds a pole, tree or rock...he paces back and forth until he finds the perfect spot. The pacing usually results in some rubbing up against his spot and then he lifts his little leg and goes.
Any way, this morning he decides to pee on a cactus - this causes a few difficulties as he tries to pace back and forth since the spikes are preventing him from his traditional rub. But my pup is determined and tries to investigate this cactus and just as quickly decides that was a bad idea. He stares at the spikes that just poked him and cocks his head to the left, starts to pace again, lifts his leg and still waters that poor cactus.
He is just so pleased with himself. He does a little shake and then bolts around, bobbing his head has he scoots around. He is funny.

Simple Moments

It's a new year and I've been thinking that life is lived in a glorified fish tank. Every year is like we have completed just another lap in the round tank of life and as of January 1, 2009 the world is taking another go at it. One day God is going to trip and drop the fish bowl in his hands and that will be that...but that's just the cynic in me.

What is with new years resolutions? Do we, as a society, have such a hard time writing our goals down that we have to make them all on the first of the year? Is it so we can have an easy reference point? I am standing up against new years resolutions in that, I will make goals as I see fit and I will write them down and pin them on my wall so I know when I made the goal. I will use my own time lines and I will keep track of my successes and failures. I will not set life goals on a whim just to meet the deadline of a calendar year. How's that for a 'non-new years resolution', resolution? :)


Because of my disgust with all the New Years Resolution drama, I was thinking about the space of time. The space of a year really isn't that long, but it's interesting to me that within that year, I may have simple moment which seem to last a life time. I was wondering why that was and I think it's because most of my more simple moments are remembered for a life time - my life time. I was thinking of forces in my life...you know...gravity...velocity...and then force of time came to me. Time is a powerful thing! Sure, I mean gravity or velocity are very powerful forces and they can do a lot of damage...but I think time can cause more damage than any object broke by gravity or velocity - in fact time can erode objects damaged by gravity or velocity to a state of elimination. But time also has the ability to heal and allow things to grow. Time is a unstoppable, renewable force moving at a slow and constant pace. And you know what? Time is big. Really big. The more I think about time, the more appreciative I am of my simple moments in life. My simple moments in life that really bring the larger space of time in my life together.

If I could pick a favorite sector of this all encompassing force...I would say moments in time would be my favorite.

I'm gonna try to capture more moments and scrap book them so I can share them and remember them more (this is another non-new years resolution!).

I do all my scrap booking on my computer - it's awesome! I get all my stuff from Erin Crockett who is sells Creative Memories scrap book stuff. If any one would like to look at or order digital scrap book software go to: http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/erincrockett

I will try to publish some of my digital scrap books on my blog! That would be fun!

Until next time!

Hugs and Kisses,

Ashley