Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts

Yankee Candle. Amazing.
Sunday, September 5, 2010



Welcome to my Yankee Candle exhibit. Oh, you prefer "cheaper" candles? Gasp! Maybe you have never gone through a season with the real, pure smell of one of these guys. It's possible that my addiction doesn't rest in the candles themselves, but the feeling I get one I light one up and it automatically brings me to that season. See, for each season, I've got about 2 favorite scents; if one of my candles gets discontinued, I won't only write a hate letter to Yankee, but that season will no longer be in existence to me.

For Spring, I'm not really that picky because Spring is probably my least favorite season and if it never happened, I wouldn't really mind. But, this past Spring, I burned "Drift Away" and also purchased "Beautiful Day" but never burned that one although it smells really good.
When Summer draws near, there is nothing that can really make it seem closer than burning "Macintosh & Peach," "Macintosh," or "Beach Walk." Yes, all three. Not at the same time, but kind of in their turn. If you noticed, Macintosh isn't in my inventory . . . that one just doesn't last more than a week with me because I never blow it out. But, I do keep the Macintosh car fresheners. All the time. In fact, that's what is in my car every season except Fall.
Fall. Oh. My. Gosh. Fall is my favorite, favorite, favorite season. I love how warm and cozy Fall feels. I love wearing jeans and a hoodie when I go out, but I would rather sit in the house with my candles lit and watch a movie. But, my favorite Fall candles are "Pumpkin Spice," "Autumn Fruit," and I just found another that I like (and was on sale) called, "Autumn Leaves." I only have the car freshener for that one. I am sooo eager to burn my Pumpkin Spice candle (and eat pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, and sleep all day), but I will not allow myself to do that until the first day of Fall. Otherwise, every day will be Fall for me. Even in July.
Winter is another one of those seasons that will not exist if Yankee didn't exist. I think that God intended the scents of Winter to be captured only by Yankee Candle. My favorite Winter scents are "Mistletoe" and "Christmas Eve." There is no way Winter would be Winter without that Mistletoe candle. Amazing.
And if you've got a man in your life that hates those "girly" candle scents or is just afraid to light a candle in fear of another male friend coming over unexpected, the perfect scents for him are "Midsummer's Night" and "Mountain Lodge;" both of those are manly, cologne-y scents. My man chooses those two for his car fresheners. :-]
I just realized that I am beginning to sound like a commercial or advertisement for Yankee Candle. Eek! I mean, if Yankee wants to give me free candles for writing this, e-mail me for my address! ;-]

Posted byAshley C. at 9:46 AM 2 Love Notes  

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"I'll always love us."
Friday, April 2, 2010

There is something beautiful about the weather "breaking."  Something that makes a love feel new and fresh.  Josh and I are in love in so many different unexplainable ways, but when warm Spring weather begins to show it's face, there is something that makes our love feel new and magical.
After I got off of work yesterday, Josh and I went to get Culver's for dinner (and man, has it never tasted sooo good!) and drove to the lakefront to go rollerblading.  The whole way there, we had the windows down, the music up, and were singing out loud with our fingers linked . . . a magic that made us feel like a new, carefree couple.  Because the weather hasn't been nice (at all!), this was kind of our first chance to get back on our rollerblades and it felt so good!  The warm breeze off of the lake was wonderful! 
After some time skating, we took a seat on a bench and were watching and admiring this cute pregnant woman walking by the pier and talking about how we can't wait until we are in that chapter of our lives.  It began getting a little too chilly from the lake, so we headed back to the car.  I was kind of sad about leaving, because I didn't want to leave that magic there, on the lake.  I know he felt what I was feeling and in order to remind us that that is who we are, no matter what season, he grabbed me by my waist and gently pushed me against the car and kissed me slowly, without words, telling me, "I'll always love us" . . . it felt so new and unreal . . . until a couple of young kids shouted, "Wooo look at that!"  Nice.  :-]
I can deal with this whole warm weather thing. ;-]

Posted byAshley C. at 1:48 PM 0 Love Notes  

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Here's to a beautiful day!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010

This morning I set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. because I was actually pretty excited about the day; it was supposed to reach at least 70 degrees, I was about to use some coupons and make a couple purchases at Walgreens that were actually "money-makers" (free, and additional money given back to you), I was going to clean and wash my car, Josh and I both planned on skipping school in order to enjoy the weather, and we were going to take a friend of ours to dinner and a movie.  So, of course when my alarm began beeping, I sprung out of bed when I would normally continue adding 15 more minutes.  I could not wait to take on the day.
Guess what happened when I took my car out to vaccuum it?  I began sweating!  Something small and actually pretty gross, but it felt so good!  The sun and heat haven't made me sweat since like, I don't know, last August!  In addition to the awesome day, I am currently sitting at the rip-off school that I graduated from.  After Josh gets out of his meeting, I am going to go down to Student Records, demand to talk to a particular individual, rip the paper in half and cause a scene that will embarrass both her and me.  Okay, maybe not.  I do however, plan on going down to the office and seeing what happened and if they tell me anything about a stinkin' policy, I will begin the process of speaking to the next higher individual.  :-]  Like I said, I will get that high-quality sheet of paper. 

Well, here's to a beautiful day and doing nothing except for what I want to do!  :-D

Posted byAshley C. at 10:34 AM 0 Love Notes  

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An at home Spring break
Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I know, I'm a little late on writing this, but hey, better late than never, right?  :-]  I shared with you that Josh I were going to spend some of the weekend in Chicago for my birthday and an "at home Spring break."  These are some of the views from our 17th floor room.  It was so beautiful!  We had a corner room, so 2 of our walls were basically made up of windows.  Big windows.  While we were looking out of the windows, we were spying on people in other buildings.  We found a girl that we named Tracy.  She should feel special because we dedicated about 30 minutes to watching her.  Creepy?  Yeah, I thought so, too.  BUT, she had curtains and was walking around in her underwear, bra, and at one point, her towel and she never pulled the curtains . . .so.  haha!  It was fun.   


The following morning, we opened the curtains and were slapped in the face with a mini snow storm!  Kinda sucked!  But, we didn't let that stop us from enjoying the day.  We walked to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and then caught a cab to the Shedd Aquarium.  When we got there, there was a looong line.  This can't be the line to get in.  It's too cold.  Sure enough, it was the line to get in.  Right on the lake, bad winds, snow storm and all.  We waited in that weather for an hour and a half to get inside.  We both admitted that if we knew it would have been that long of a line, we would have just gone elsewhere.  But, we enjoyed ourselves even though it seemed like every single elementary and junior high school in Chicago was there, too.  After we were done there (about 6 p.m.), we caught a cab back to our car and headed home to have dinner with my family at Lonestar.  The whole weekend was very enjoyable and relaxing.  :-]  It's funny to think that last Spring break, we were in 90 degree weather, sitting in the sand in Southwest Florida, getting our tan on . . . 10 days straight.  Not to sound cheesy, but any Spring break is a great Spring break, no matter where I am, as long as I'm with my Lover.  I told Josh You know, these past two birthdays of mine have been the best two birthdays and he made a point, "That's because these are the only two birthdays we've been able to celebrate together." 

Posted byAshley C. at 10:19 AM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

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Welcome, March!
Monday, March 1, 2010

Welcome, March!  It sure is nice to know that we will be having some 50+ degree days soon!  :-]  Anyone else agree with that?!  This means it's almost time for rollerblading!  I couldn't be more excited!  Well, except for when I'm actually rollerblading.

Remember my own little basic diet that I mentioned a few days ago?  Well, I weighed myself today and I am down 3.2 pounds and .5% body fat . . . in one week!  I must admit that it really isn't hard at all either.  It's actually eye-opening for me to be writing down everything I eat and making sacrifices with food instead of splurging and just eating all I want, whenever I want.  I have a long way to go since I want to lose 16 more pounds.  We'll see how long it takes to do that!  :-]    Oh, and today has officially been 2 months without fast food for me and Josh!  Huge!

Another exciting thing is that I am officially half done with those stinkin' classes!  Haha, I can't believe I was so afraid to drive to Milwaukee.  I have become a real trooper and done really well.  This week is my last day of these 2 classes and then I start 2 new ones.  Fortunately, one class is in Racine (a lot closer) but still have the other in Milwaukee.  It will be a lot of fun because Josh and I will be riding together on Mondays to my class in Racine since he can drop me off and pick me up.  My class is from 5:30-10 and his is from 6-9.  Life is so much cooler when I can do those small things with him!  

Oh, and another cool thing is that I saw (hopefully) my prospective employer a few days ago and she said "we are still keeping you in mind."  And after me asking about not meeting one of their qualifications, she replied, "It really isn't necessary when we're hiring someone we want.  We'll train you."  I really, really, really hope that I get that job when the time is right.  I would love to work with that company.  I just really suck at interviews.  :-/

Posted byAshley C. at 4:07 PM 0 Love Notes  

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I need to get out of here.
Sunday, February 21, 2010

Since Wednesday, I've felt drained and tired with some congestion.  As the week progressed, I began to have a majorly stuffed nose, very sore throat, and pounding headaches, so yesterday I went to the doctor.  He said that I "have enough systems to treat this as strep throat."  I have antiobiotics and have just been hibernating since.

This morning, Josh called me at noon to wake me up (yes, noon).  He told me that there was no family dinner today but his dad is grilling out.  I don't know what got into me, but I sprung out of bed and immediately went into the kitchen to find the ingredients to make tuna salad.  Got 'em all.  And baked beans, too!  While I was at it, I found some lemon cake mix (my favorite!) so I decided to make that, too.  I told myself that I was just going to eat grilled food, baked beans, a can of pop and some cupcakes . . . the ultimate Summer dinner minus the watermelon . . . and not look out the window in order to convince myself that it's Spring.  In fact, I am going to paint my nails pink today, too.  I am sooo over this cold weather!  It is making me sick and I am freezing.  I cannot wait much longer for Spring to get here.  I am ready to just sleep with my window open, wear nothing but a shirt and jeans, and go rollerblading.  If our credit card had enough money available, I would buy Josh and I tickets to Florida for a week.  I need to get out of here.  Oh, wait, I wouldn't be able to because we are supposed to get a foot of snow tonight!  Aye-yi-yi. 

My new goal:  When we are engaged and begin looking for a house, I will try my absolute hardest to get him to move to Florida.  No more midwest for this girl. 

Posted byAshley C. at 12:48 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

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Headaches and Cheekaches
Monday, May 25, 2009

This weekend couldn't have been more relaxing! I have had major headaches from sleeping so much and my cheeks still hurt from smiling and laughing so much with my clubbers! Where to start . . .


My roomie (well, ex-roomie, but she still and will always hold that title) has been so down in the dumps because her husband thought that serving the country is better than being at home with his new wife (sarcasm). Me and Josh had to take her out of the house and show her a good time. We know all about that! We picked her up in Club Clipsy, cranked up the music, and rocked out all the way to Chicago. Man, what an awesome time. We love her because she is never afraid to let loose. I am the kind of girl that loves being crazy, having fun . . . simply being me, and I don't want to be weighed down with trying to entertain. This girl is an entertainer! After 3 hours of music, hundreds of grams of sugar from snacks, and tons of pictures later, I look in the back seat and she was sleeping! Party pooper! I guess it really payed off when she admitted that this was the first time that she has actually had fun since her husband has been gone. Thanks, girl!


The following day, me and Josh picked up one of our "couples" and thought it'd be fun to go back to Chicago. It was really fun just being silly and being able to enjoy each other. We planned on going to Grant and Millennium Park. Windows down. Music (and bass) up. Hot Cheetos and Red Bull. $18 parking. It all results in a great time with these two . . . one of which hates Chicago. How can you hate Chicago? "The parking sucks. It's dirty. Too many poor people. Too much traffic. Too crowded. It stinks." Excuse me, sir, we are no longer in a small, 30,000 person town. I think he just needs to go out more and look beyond some things. Maybe he did. I think we actually got it out of him that it was nice. ;-] Regardless of how long it took for Negative Ned to warm up, we had a great time! We love these two because they are so unique! I don't think we laugh more with (or at) other people than we do with them.

The more I actually hang out with people, I ask myself, "What makes me dislike meeting new people?" Like, I strongly dislike meeting new people. I don't like the awkward silence. I don't like the limp handshakes. I just don't like anything about meeting new people. Why? I really do love my friends . . . each and every one of them. I know that friends are what makes life more rich and I don't really reach out and let more people in. Maybe that should be my new goal: meet new people and be interested in investing time in them.

No. I'm not going to lie. I probably won't achieve this goal!

My weekend-long summer is almost over. I have class tomorrow night and for the next two Saturdays, then I start 3 online classes that following Monday. At least they're online. I don't think December can get here any quicker.

Now that I have officially and completely come across writer's block, I am going to pick this up again tomorrow when I am more focused.

Random Fact: Children grow faster in the springtime. -- This could mean that I'll grow a few more inches! ;-]

Posted byAshley C. at 7:21 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

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Love in Full Bloom
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Love in full bloom. That's what I have been feeling a lot the past few days. Maybe it has something to do with the weather. There is something so much more different from winter and summer and the feelings the two seasons bring.

Today me and Josh were supposed to just go to the park with our bucket of baseballs and two bats. One of which is probably two times the size I should use. We make do with what we have . . . I guess. We planned on going and hitting around some balls and just have fun together. Of course, those plans didn't go through. Instead, we decided to pack ourselves a lunch and go have a picnic instead. Again, those plans fell through as well. I had to hurry to get to class, so we just set up our lunch on the back patio and enjoyed it there instead. Before we started eating, I felt like something was missing on the table. "Close your eyes. Promise you won't open them." I told Josh. So, I snuck over to the lilac tree, cut him some lilacs, and brought them to him. He deserved something sweet for once. Even though they made his allergies flare up.



The weather has been so beautiful and so fresh lately that it really has forced me to look at me and Josh's love a little differently. I truly do believe that love goes through its seasons. Summer is the best. Both in the actual seasonal meaning and in the relationship sense. Why summer? Because not only is it a time for couples to be able to enjoy each other in the beautiful weather, do enjoyable things, but most of all, my favorite reason: it's temporary. If summer were summer all year round, it wouldn't be what it is. Summer is a time of renewal, fun, and freshness. I look at summer as a representation of a dimension of love. Of course, there are 3 other seasons and love needs that. Love needs a time of hardships, dryness, and storms. If it didn't, love wouldn't be what it is. Love needs a summer time for the reconnection of the two and as much as I don't want to say it again, but a refreshment of the two souls. Even though summer is a more enjoyable time, it's opposite, winter, needs to be embraced, as well. When winter comes around, it really is a hard time for all living things like plants and animals to endure and push through this kind of weather. Not all living things get a chance to see summer again, but if they are strong enough to get through the craziness of winter, they are sure to see summer. This is so much like love. Not all couples are strong enough to persevere through hardships, but when they do, they are going to have so much more beauty to show off in the most beautiful seasons of life.

I am so grateful and thankful that God has placed an amazing man like Josh to go through life with. Anytime I need Josh, he is never behind me watching me experience life, he walking beside me, hand-in-hand experiencing it with me. I couldn't ask for more.

Joshua, I love you and I appreciate you more than I could ever express. We have the most beautiful love I know because we have been able to endure the hard times and embrace the good. Let's enjoy our summer together. I can sleep well at night knowing that I have the most amazing man to hold me through winter's nights.

Random fact: The original name for a butterfly was a flutterby.

Posted byAshley C. at 9:13 PM Post a comment (1) Love Notes  

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