Circus act
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
I'm horrible at balancing. Just horrible. Remember the whole coupon-clipping thing? Scrapbooking? Weight Watcher attempts? P90X? Hmm . . . it kind of makes me sad but I finally discovered what happened. I used to think I sucked at everything and I just gave up too quickly, but I really am just bad at balancing. Ever since photography came into the picture, I feel like I've neglected everything else (including this blog!). It seems that whatever else I am interested in gets my full attention. Every ounce of it. Kind of sucks because I would love to be able to clip coupons, commit to a 90-day workout, scrapbook, and still be able to photograph and post-process photos but I just don't roll like that.
I wonder what will happen when I'm a stay-at-home mom, photgrapher, coupon-clipper (since groceries will be a necessity!), and trying to work off all the baby weight? I'm going to look like some kind of circus act. :/ Maybe this is one of those "practice makes perfect" kind of deals.
Posted byAshley C. at 7:50 AM 0 Love Notes
Vacation, Weight, and Photos
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Me and my Lover are back from our short vacation. We were gone for 4 days, but it went by way too fast. I can't wait until I am able to spend time with him like we did in Tennessee! We had an awesome time reconnecting with each other. He has been working 14-16 hour days and when he gets off, he's too tired to hang out; since the school they are working on needs to be turned over by Monday, he will have a lot more time to hang out . . . which is bittersweet because he will probably be laid off for a while. I mean, the money is sweet, but his body is exhausted and honestly, there is no money good enough for making him feel the way he has. He deserves a good couple of weeks to relax. :-]
Me on the other hand? Well, I have had way too much time to relax. I've been gaining weight, becoming lazy, and eating everything in sight haha. Fortunately, on Monday I am starting the 'Biggest Loser' program at my work and on top of that . . . I will be doing Weight Watchers. Again. I know, I know. You are probably thinking "Again?" But really, I have never weighed this much and have never felt this gross. I need to lose this weight some way or another and it won't be happening with me laying around and eating fast food. We will see how this goes. :-]
On another note, I just got my new laptop this week! It has been a relief since I've been doing several sessions and have not been able to edit any of the photos. So, I plan on editing the first session by this weekend and start chipping away at the other two before my next 3 sessions this month. Eek! :-] But, I just purchased a Zenfolio account, so as soon as I have these photos edited, my clients will be able to go online, view, and purchase whichever they like. I'm really excited about it! So, as I've said before, if you know anyone interested in finding (or trying out) a new photographer, shoot them my way!
Maybe next time you hear from me, you will have a few photos to taste from my first session!
Posted byAshley C. at 8:18 AM 0 Love Notes
Labels: Busy, Josh, photography, vacation
Summertime
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Step-sister is town (along with her kids) for a month, Taste of Chicago, hang out with friends, sleep, several failed attempts to get that third barn painted before his family reunion next weekend, family reunions, weddings, rollerblade, work, job-search . . . . ahhh, Summer. I mentioned to Josh a couple days ago, I haven't blogged in a few days and it makes me sad. But to be quite honest, the Summertime is a kind of time that steals everything else. Busyness happens and then you're looking forward to the next busy event and more life gets in the way; I like that. I like looking forward to the busyness of life. :-] Speaking of which, I've got a hair appointment, a pedicure, a mini-roadtrip with Errika, a wedding, and a small "family reunion" next week that I've been looking forward to all Summer.
We haven't even gotten around to doing some things that I've been looking forward to . . . the zoo, picnics, fishing, looong car rides, tennis, nights in Chicago, etc. Hopefully some time this Summertime!
Posted byAshley C. at 8:11 AM 0 Love Notes
Slighty busy
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Today sure is going to be a slightly busy day, so I wanted to catch up with you before I get sucked in. Yesterday, Josh, Errika, and I went to the park so that I could take some pictures for my photography blog (which I'm not completely happy about), so I am going to be editting some of those (did I mention, that's the hardest part?!) I also need to get my blog banner finished . . . then I will be able to start that up! :-] After I get off work, I am going to go and get my $1 sub at Jimmy Johns today (woo hoo!). And the best news for today, I got an e-mail saying that I will be getting my new camera lens via UPS today! I think that's what helped pull me out of bed this morning haha. Oh, and it's the day before Friday! ;-]
I can't wait to share some pictures from my new lens with you!
Posted byAshley C. at 8:35 AM 0 Love Notes
. . . these are my struggles . . .
Monday, March 29, 2010
When you're away from your blog for quite some time, bad things happen. And by "bad things," I mean that you miss many opportunities to write about important things. I have so busy the past week and I haven't even been able to visit any other blogs; it definitely saddens me. What have I wanted to blog about? Well, let's see . . . the gorilla (yes, gorilla, not monkey) on my back that keeps reminding me of my past, my bitterness, and my stubbornness, or about the awkwardness Josh and I experience since we are an interracial couple or how weird it feels for us to walk into pricey stores, or about the biggest struggle I face almost everyday, or about the awesome deals I have been getting and how much better I am at couponing. Those are just a few to name.
As you can see, I have not written one of those. Maybe it's me just rebelling against myself and refusing to blog about those kinds of things because I would rather not face those giants at the moment. OR, maybe it's me just being busy. Yeah, I'll go with the second one. :-]
I will not be ignoring my blogging nudges anymore! This area is for me to express myself and to possibly be an encouragement to others or even tick others off. But, these are my struggles and this is my blog. :-]
Posted byAshley C. at 11:19 AM Post a comment (1) Love Notes
Lots of errands and half a cake
Monday, January 18, 2010
Today has been a pretty busy day already. Lately, I have been having such a hard time getting out of bed. I set my alarm for 9:00, but when it goes off, I reset it for 9:30, then 10:00, and if my cell phone or nephew hasn't gotten me out of bed, I reset it for 10:30, and if . . . you get the idea. It's just hard. My bed it so big and comfy and warm that nothing else is more comfortable . . . especially not the cold, hard basement that calls my name to work out, sweat, yuck! Staying in bed is the best! But, today, when my alarm went off the second time, my mind began racing and I couldn't stop thinking of everything I had to do in a 4-hour period.
I jumped out of bed so that I could workout, but Josh called and asked if I could talk for a little bit because he was on his break; of course I told him yes. While we talked, I ate a protein-packed breakfast (high-protein wheat english muffin, 2 egg whites, 1 slice of cheese, and 2 slices of turkey bacon = 16 grams of protein!) After we hung up, I tackled my 1.5 hour workout, headed to the store to buy something for Josh's birthday (tomorrow), went to Hallmark, the grocery store, and hurried home (with 30 minutes to spare before going to work) to bake half of Josh's secret birthday cake; obviously it's not completely homemade. I say half because I am going to make it a 2-layer but because I had to go to work (and Josh can't know about the cake), I could only make 1 layer and I will make the second layer after Josh goes home tonight.
Now I'm at work. Sometimes work is the most relaxing place to be! ;-]
Posted byAshley C. at 1:57 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Posted byAshley C. at 12:46 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes
Labels: Busy, Christmas, school
Christmas parties and homework
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Am I the only one wondering where all the snow is? Attending Christmas parties while the green grass is showing just is not the same thing as lots of snow. This weekend, I had two Christmas parties to attend, so I've been pretty busy. On Friday, me and Josh made some Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies and homemade hot chocolate mix for my family Christmas party. I'm not one that likes hot chocolate, but the stuff we made was delicious! We needed to make 10 gift things (2 for each adult couple in the family), and it was pretty funny . . . we ran out when we only had 8 made. You know how there is always that one person in your family that . . . well, nevermind. Theirs isn't quite "homemade." Shh. But, I wish I had taken pictures of everything because it looked so pretty! I was very proud of the work we did.
Now that it's Sunday afternoon, the pain and teeth-pulling begins. Homework. And lots of it. 10-page paper and 14-page paper. But hey, guess what?! This is my last week of school! I'm really excited because of graduation and because I will have a whole week off of work. I thought that after 17 years of school, I deserved a little pat on the back, eh?
Well, here's to getting all of my homework done today so that I can focus on studying for exams!
Posted byAshley C. at 11:00 AM Post a comment (1) Love Notes
Busy school week and a beatiful diamond ring
Sunday, December 6, 2009
5 days ago. That's when I wrote my latest blog . . . what a long time! I haven't really had a chance to blog because it's my last week of school! I say that with all of the excitement that my voice will allow. I cannot believe that I am almost done. This week is my last week, but I still have finals, so I am not totally done yet. I have been busy writing papers, doing projects, and studying for exams.
I don't know if I mentioned it to you all yet, but I finally got my graduation announcements in the mail! It really made it real to me. So, I have been thinking, I think I am going to dish out the money and get some graduation pictures done. I am going to get a traditional cap and gown photo and one that is just fun. The only thing about it though is that I cannot get them done until after graduation because I will not have my degree "folders" to use as props for the photos. I really wanted to get the photos done sooner so that I can send them out with announcements the week of graduation, but it probably will not be until the first week of January. Bummer.
Last night, I went to my old roommate's bridal shower. She is so stinkin' cute and full of personality. I love that girl so much! For a game that we played throughout the night, we all had to wear this fake (but cute) solitaire diamond ring. All I have to say is that I kept it on my finger to show Josh, "This . . . This is it!" Hopefully he got the message. Speaking of which, something tells me that I won't be waiting much longer. ;-]
Posted byAshley C. at 1:48 PM 0 Love Notes
Work, Work, Work
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thanks to Ms. Krissy, me and a friend are going to a small women's conference tonight! I'm pretty excited because I haven't been to any type of Christian conference since about 5 years ago. The only thing is that it is a 2-day conference, but I think we are only going tonight. It's titled, "Teaching Women not to be Desperate." . . . or something along those lines. I know, not very informative, but I will let you all know what it was all about. :-]
I don't know if I've mentioned before, but I am working in partnership with an organization close by that provides services for grieving children (i.e., loss of a sibling, parent, etc.). I am collaborating with a group to rewrite their needs statement, develop an entrance/exit survey for their clients, and create a PowerPoint show for donors. In other words, help them get more funds. Tomorrow, I am volunteering to help out at a silent auction that they are having. Not looking forward to that. I've never been to one of those, so it should be pretty interesting. But hey, they best part of all of this is that when I graduate, helping this organization will look very attractive to my future employers. And I guess I am getting some experience, too. :-]
School is coming to an close, so I apologize if I'm not posting nearly as much as I used to; it's really crunch time right now, so I've got to buckle down and get things done.
Posted byAshley C. at 3:01 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes
School Blues
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Having to chose between studying and blogging is a very hard decision. I love one but have to do the other. Why can't school just be easy and we be able to attain all the knowledge necessary for our field of study? *sigh*
Posted byAshley C. at 5:21 PM 0 Love Notes
The scale broke
Thursday, September 24, 2009
So, as you all know, I have been doing P90X . . . very faithfully. I don't know if I mentioned it previously, but I am no longer doing the meal plan. It is too inconvenient with me being at work and school and having no time to actually cook something or pack a lunch or dinner for every place I go. For those that aren't familiar with P90X, it is a 90 day (very intense) workout plan. I am now on day 31! You are supposed to weigh yourself and take pictures every 30 days and it guarantees results. It's no lie. But . . .
I made the mistake with starting the plan during my heaviest time of the month, if you know what I mean. So, when I weighed myself yesterday, day 30, I actually weighed more. How does that happen?! I understand that muscle weighs more than fat, but sheesh! I am definitely bloated and heavier right now, but I look and feel better. But, my body fat percentage is up, too. Maybe from water weight? Who knows. My argument is that the scale is broken. What I do know though is that my stomach, legs, arms, everything is tightening up (and shrinking); there is a big difference and it's only day 30! I love this workout!
I have done very well. I would say that the hardest part for me is actually waking up extra early for school and getting the workout in. I want to just lay in bed and get that extra hour and a half of sleep. Sometimes I do and I'm forced to do the workout at night after work (which stinks!).
I would definitely recommend this workout to anyone that is looking for some high-intensity work out plan that promises results.
Posted byAshley C. at 5:07 PM 0 Love Notes
Labels: beauty, Busy, Health, random
Today's Fun
Friday, July 31, 2009
Okay, so I am currently trying to redo this blog and for some reason I am having trouble. So, until then, you are going to be looking at an ugly, plain blog. If someone reading this is a whiz at correcting codes (I think I messed something up), then please let me know because it would be great to have a new pretty blog again. So, if this is your first time by my blog, please do not think this is it!
I guess I will still blog a little bit even though this isn't pretty . . .
Tonight, me and Josh are going to the Yankees vs. Sox game . . . Go Yankees! We are so excited because this is our first Yankees game! I can't wait to eat a ballpark hot dog!
I have also started my scrapbooking again. I don't think I've ever mentioned this is any other blog, but it is definitely my favorite hobby (besides sleeping haha!). The scrapbook that I am currently working on is my nephew's first year. My eyes have swelled up so many times doing the scrapbook because I cannot believe how fast that little bugger is growing up! I still have a ways to go, but when I am partially done, I will let you guys see a little bit.
Well, I need to run to Archivers, deposit my check, do some homework, and try fixing this blog (probably mess it up more). So, I will catch up with you soon.
Posted byAshley C. at 8:05 AM 0 Love Notes
Labels: Baseball, Busy, scrapbooking
