"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future."
Proverbs 31:25
Meet Your Author
Hola, my name is Ashley. I am a senior in college and I am studying to be a teacher, I am thinking kindergarten or first grade or second. Who knows. I am also the author of the devotional site "The Wooden Fence" that has been around for a few years now. I am just a blogger, an over active writer with too much to say. Which is why I have this nifty little place. Just a place where a college girl can be a college girl.
In general I am a full time employee, student, Beach body coach, fitness nut, gym rat, and overall scatter brained typical 20 year old. I'll be 21 in February and I have to say, I am excited!
I really write for my own memory and escape but I hope these words find you well. Feel free to send me a little message in the "Whatcha got to say" box, I really love replying to them.
In general I am a full time employee, student, Beach body coach, fitness nut, gym rat, and overall scatter brained typical 20 year old. I'll be 21 in February and I have to say, I am excited!
I really write for my own memory and escape but I hope these words find you well. Feel free to send me a little message in the "Whatcha got to say" box, I really love replying to them.
Social Media
Instagram : Ashdale610
Snapchat : Ashdale610
Xbox: Ashdale610
Basically, if you are looking for me just try ashdale610 because if I exist that is probably it.
Snapchat : Ashdale610
Xbox: Ashdale610
Basically, if you are looking for me just try ashdale610 because if I exist that is probably it.
Confessions of a lady
A Strange Delight
Changing in a Single Breath
Hello you. I cannot tell a lie. This past week or so has
been one of the most intense roller coasters I could imagine. I learned, about
thirty minutes ago, that in one swift moment the plans you have been working on
for months can crumble in front of you.
Now there is a back story, naturally. It was made very plain to me that there were aspects in my life that I have been sweeping under the rug, regarding my religion. You all know I am a Christian and I love Jesus. Well everyone knows that in my beliefs there are ways that are pleasing, and in line, with God and things that are just the opposite. Let us just say that I had been doing a few things that were unpleasing to God. I am human and I will admit my short comings.
You see God knows these things and The Bible says He will correct His children. My soul was so burdened and heavy that I had begun to weep at the thought of my wrongs. This was, of course, not immediate. It had taken me a while to reach this point of dispare. So I know at this time I had a choice to make. I would either submit to my Father or I would rebel and walk in a way that would certainly lead me to more grief, and furthermore lead to God having more grief.
Now, anyone who knows me knows I dislike harming others more than anything in the universe. So when the realization hit me that God, who does grieve as a parent would, was in distress over me rebelling against His regards I saw no other choice. I had to change. Yet there way a problem. These changes would not only affect me, but they would affect people I love dearly. So I had to choose, risk hurting them or risk hurting God. Now it does not take a rocket scientist to decide which option I went with.
So here I go, praying and praying. I took a day off from social media and such in order to spend time in fellowship with God. That night I made my move after much deliberation, apparently my flesh was more tied down than I was aware of. The crazy part? The one I loved took it as if it was the most natural thing they could take. While I was expecting something terrible, God laid a blessing of peace and comfort before me.
Although I have taken a leap into Gods arms I still find myself in despair over a new problem. Is it not funny how the flesh can be? I have spent countless months, years, planning for the moment of graduation from college. All the way down to my last semester, which by all means should had been December 2015. Yet upon a heart wrenching email, that I received moments ago, I was informed that would not come to pass. I have four classes left, not counting student teaching.
There forth I would take those four in the summer and student teach in the fall and boom I would receive a diploma and go about into the world. Except, in my meetings with my advisor whom I do not see any more as of a few hours ago, she failed to mention that I could not take one of these classes in the summer. Insert climatic heart breaking music here. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I had worked so hard for this very moment! Now it is gone. Well pushed back a few months but in my eyes it was the same thing. I could see the face of my parents already- disappointment and utter disapproval for my failure.
All my emotions came at my like a flood within moments. I had listened to a sermon this morning regarding our plans verses Gods plans. Sometimes, no matter how unhappy it may make us, God has a different direction He wishes you go. I also heard a sermon last night regarding failure. It said that my worldly success and failure were nothing in comparison to my faith based success and failure. Basically I realized that no matter where God takes me I have to continue to be a light to His name. I cannot dwell in my sorrow. For in those precious moments I am not honoring His name. When I could say He is leading me and there I shall go, I am wrapped up saying how my life is ruined! One worships His holy name while the other one worships things of this world.
Now does this mean I roll over and take whatever comes? No. This means I redirect my goals. So I am graduating in May. Summer. Okay, this means I will be looking for a job at the beginning of a school year which is a plus. It means that for two semesters I will be able to focus on money which is a plus. Tuition will be lower and I can put everything into savings and go from there. I wanted to move out this December, this may or may not happen. It means I have to work on several aspects; the first being purchasing my vehicle. Which I can do if tuition is much lower.
When I begin to compile a plan I see how there are some lights in this dark moment. Yet I forget to include God in this time. I know that God does not do things just to throw a wrench in my worldly plans, but to build me spiritually and prune me for my battles in this life. What that is, I have no idea. I suppose I will have to wait and watch. I pray that peace will wash over me and that I may use this time to bring praise to His name. In all things God is good.
Now there is a back story, naturally. It was made very plain to me that there were aspects in my life that I have been sweeping under the rug, regarding my religion. You all know I am a Christian and I love Jesus. Well everyone knows that in my beliefs there are ways that are pleasing, and in line, with God and things that are just the opposite. Let us just say that I had been doing a few things that were unpleasing to God. I am human and I will admit my short comings.
You see God knows these things and The Bible says He will correct His children. My soul was so burdened and heavy that I had begun to weep at the thought of my wrongs. This was, of course, not immediate. It had taken me a while to reach this point of dispare. So I know at this time I had a choice to make. I would either submit to my Father or I would rebel and walk in a way that would certainly lead me to more grief, and furthermore lead to God having more grief.
Now, anyone who knows me knows I dislike harming others more than anything in the universe. So when the realization hit me that God, who does grieve as a parent would, was in distress over me rebelling against His regards I saw no other choice. I had to change. Yet there way a problem. These changes would not only affect me, but they would affect people I love dearly. So I had to choose, risk hurting them or risk hurting God. Now it does not take a rocket scientist to decide which option I went with.
So here I go, praying and praying. I took a day off from social media and such in order to spend time in fellowship with God. That night I made my move after much deliberation, apparently my flesh was more tied down than I was aware of. The crazy part? The one I loved took it as if it was the most natural thing they could take. While I was expecting something terrible, God laid a blessing of peace and comfort before me.
Although I have taken a leap into Gods arms I still find myself in despair over a new problem. Is it not funny how the flesh can be? I have spent countless months, years, planning for the moment of graduation from college. All the way down to my last semester, which by all means should had been December 2015. Yet upon a heart wrenching email, that I received moments ago, I was informed that would not come to pass. I have four classes left, not counting student teaching.
There forth I would take those four in the summer and student teach in the fall and boom I would receive a diploma and go about into the world. Except, in my meetings with my advisor whom I do not see any more as of a few hours ago, she failed to mention that I could not take one of these classes in the summer. Insert climatic heart breaking music here. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I had worked so hard for this very moment! Now it is gone. Well pushed back a few months but in my eyes it was the same thing. I could see the face of my parents already- disappointment and utter disapproval for my failure.
All my emotions came at my like a flood within moments. I had listened to a sermon this morning regarding our plans verses Gods plans. Sometimes, no matter how unhappy it may make us, God has a different direction He wishes you go. I also heard a sermon last night regarding failure. It said that my worldly success and failure were nothing in comparison to my faith based success and failure. Basically I realized that no matter where God takes me I have to continue to be a light to His name. I cannot dwell in my sorrow. For in those precious moments I am not honoring His name. When I could say He is leading me and there I shall go, I am wrapped up saying how my life is ruined! One worships His holy name while the other one worships things of this world.
Now does this mean I roll over and take whatever comes? No. This means I redirect my goals. So I am graduating in May. Summer. Okay, this means I will be looking for a job at the beginning of a school year which is a plus. It means that for two semesters I will be able to focus on money which is a plus. Tuition will be lower and I can put everything into savings and go from there. I wanted to move out this December, this may or may not happen. It means I have to work on several aspects; the first being purchasing my vehicle. Which I can do if tuition is much lower.
When I begin to compile a plan I see how there are some lights in this dark moment. Yet I forget to include God in this time. I know that God does not do things just to throw a wrench in my worldly plans, but to build me spiritually and prune me for my battles in this life. What that is, I have no idea. I suppose I will have to wait and watch. I pray that peace will wash over me and that I may use this time to bring praise to His name. In all things God is good.
Useless Comparisons
There are times when I cannot help but
to feel guilty for my actions, or even just my thoughts. Not to say that these
are sinful thoughts or actions, per say. I would describe them more as selfish
or over reacting.
I greatest of these is comparing myself to others. Coincidentally I found myself buried in this thought process when I woke up. I suppose that happens when one spends the entire night dreaming of such things. So I did what I do when I am engulfed with rotten feelings, I picked up my tiny pink daily devotional by the lovely Sarah Young. The first two sentences read;
"Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all stop comparing yourself with other people."
Well Jiminy Crickets. Talk about a word. It is simply amazing how the right words find your ears at just the right time. You see it started yesterday when I passed someone and thought what if I never achieve being a good mom? What if my children never have the life I yearn for them to have? What if everyone is right and I give my children a childhood that is no better than my own was? I could go on because this thought process spiraled into a terrible and frustrating evening. Which built into a frustrating morning.
Needless to say, reading this took me back for a moment. I had been comparing my future success to someone's lack of success-in my eyes. I had been comparing my body to that of the women featured on the calendar. Furthermore I had been comparing worth to the short comings I was finding in those comparisons. I never stopped to see the things that I was missing.
I am, newly, twenty-one. I will graduate with my bachelors in early childhood and English as a second language education by the end of this year. I have paid every ounce of my education out right without any loans. I do not have debt. I am no longer in bondage in a rottenly unhealthy relationship. I love God with all my heart. I have changed my health for the better. I am on my way to living independently, whatever that may look like. I am not a failure.
I will tell you that last sentence stirred much emotion in my soul. So much that it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps I look for affirmation in the wrong places. I look to please my parents, my friends, or whomever else is on the list for the day. Yet the truth is I only need to seek pleasuring one, God. Furthermore Gods pleasure is not in my worldly successes but in my adoration and faith in Him. I find myself thinking how magical it would be if I could manage to be so wrapped in my faith in God that I spent my time living for Him. So much so that I did not have the time to consider comparing myself physically or otherwise to others. I suppose you could say that is a stretch but I do not think it is impossible.
I wish to leave you with a plead for you not to waste your precious time comparing yourself to that of another. Instead look at yourself in the mirror and evaluate your life and find your strengths and successes. Fall in love with yourselves. I assure you that you are worth falling in love with.
Good day my darlings.
I greatest of these is comparing myself to others. Coincidentally I found myself buried in this thought process when I woke up. I suppose that happens when one spends the entire night dreaming of such things. So I did what I do when I am engulfed with rotten feelings, I picked up my tiny pink daily devotional by the lovely Sarah Young. The first two sentences read;
"Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all stop comparing yourself with other people."
Well Jiminy Crickets. Talk about a word. It is simply amazing how the right words find your ears at just the right time. You see it started yesterday when I passed someone and thought what if I never achieve being a good mom? What if my children never have the life I yearn for them to have? What if everyone is right and I give my children a childhood that is no better than my own was? I could go on because this thought process spiraled into a terrible and frustrating evening. Which built into a frustrating morning.
Needless to say, reading this took me back for a moment. I had been comparing my future success to someone's lack of success-in my eyes. I had been comparing my body to that of the women featured on the calendar. Furthermore I had been comparing worth to the short comings I was finding in those comparisons. I never stopped to see the things that I was missing.
I am, newly, twenty-one. I will graduate with my bachelors in early childhood and English as a second language education by the end of this year. I have paid every ounce of my education out right without any loans. I do not have debt. I am no longer in bondage in a rottenly unhealthy relationship. I love God with all my heart. I have changed my health for the better. I am on my way to living independently, whatever that may look like. I am not a failure.
I will tell you that last sentence stirred much emotion in my soul. So much that it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps I look for affirmation in the wrong places. I look to please my parents, my friends, or whomever else is on the list for the day. Yet the truth is I only need to seek pleasuring one, God. Furthermore Gods pleasure is not in my worldly successes but in my adoration and faith in Him. I find myself thinking how magical it would be if I could manage to be so wrapped in my faith in God that I spent my time living for Him. So much so that I did not have the time to consider comparing myself physically or otherwise to others. I suppose you could say that is a stretch but I do not think it is impossible.
I wish to leave you with a plead for you not to waste your precious time comparing yourself to that of another. Instead look at yourself in the mirror and evaluate your life and find your strengths and successes. Fall in love with yourselves. I assure you that you are worth falling in love with.
Good day my darlings.
Cold Weather Brings Warm Thoughts
During the time that has been the winter season we have not had very many cold, icy, or snowy days. It has been quite the shame really. Although the weather is all in a tizzy about this front coming in tomorrow night. They are expecting roughly a foot of sleet and freezing rain alone which will cause us to be stuck inside for a little I suppose. Some people may find this disheartening but I see it as a great gain. This weather will bring chili, stew, hot tea, and snuggling all the day long. I am sure the first time I have to go out in this weather I will surely plead for summer but if I can stay inside and enjoy it in front of the fire with a book I will not complain.
There is only one thing that could make such weather perfect. This is simply another person to enjoy this weather with. I always thought that weather of this sort was made for cooking chicken and dumplings all day in the crock pot while we cuddle up on the couch with a book or a movie. This thought has not been skewed even the slightest bit throughout the years. I still fell as if that is exactly what I want in my future cold weather experiences.
I suppose for now, though, I shall enjoy this spell from the comforts of the home with my parents and a nice book to keep me company. I hope you are able to enoy this weather and are able to keep warm and safe. Enjoy darlings.
There is only one thing that could make such weather perfect. This is simply another person to enjoy this weather with. I always thought that weather of this sort was made for cooking chicken and dumplings all day in the crock pot while we cuddle up on the couch with a book or a movie. This thought has not been skewed even the slightest bit throughout the years. I still fell as if that is exactly what I want in my future cold weather experiences.
I suppose for now, though, I shall enjoy this spell from the comforts of the home with my parents and a nice book to keep me company. I hope you are able to enoy this weather and are able to keep warm and safe. Enjoy darlings.
The Realizations
First I apologize I have been neglectful to you lovelies. The most unlikely soul reminded me that I simply have not been posting. How kind of him to notice and refocus my attention to something I adore.
Although it's not exactly an acceptable excuse, you see today I take one of the two tests that will allow me to do what I have always dreamed of. I'd be lying if I told you last night was a good night. One of those rock yourself to sleep with the tears you've bawled kind of nights. We all have those, right? I was frustrated. Beyond frustrated really. Maybe it was the glass of wine and hormones talking but I couldn't pass the practice section I was on. Everyone said what I was doing was easy until I asked them to help me and low and behold they couldn't do it either. Bummer. I got mad threw my pencil down and stormed to my room in tears. So I woke up early as planned and got ready. Before I left I decided I should pick up my tiny pink devotional and read todays. Maybe it would calm me. The first sentence? "Trust and thankfulness will get you through this day." The second? "Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing." If God doesn't work in mysterious was I don't know what does. He always bring me a message in some way that releases my troubles. Yet He didn't stop there. I turned on a worship station on the way to the university and several songs made me teary eyed. I realized that this is not my home. These things are meaningless in the long run. This is just an exam that determined my worldly status, not heavenly. Thank goodness. I cannot take this grade with me to heaven. What does matter is how I rely on My Father to bring me peace and how I praise Him no matter what grade I make. One of the things I was worried about was disappointing my parents if I don't pass. Then I realized my Heavenly Father will be proud pass or fail if I praise Him through it all He is already proud.
So today I will walk into the facility not asking God for anything but thanking Him for this opportunity, the many blessings I have received, and offering Him all the glory of this day.
Although it's not exactly an acceptable excuse, you see today I take one of the two tests that will allow me to do what I have always dreamed of. I'd be lying if I told you last night was a good night. One of those rock yourself to sleep with the tears you've bawled kind of nights. We all have those, right? I was frustrated. Beyond frustrated really. Maybe it was the glass of wine and hormones talking but I couldn't pass the practice section I was on. Everyone said what I was doing was easy until I asked them to help me and low and behold they couldn't do it either. Bummer. I got mad threw my pencil down and stormed to my room in tears. So I woke up early as planned and got ready. Before I left I decided I should pick up my tiny pink devotional and read todays. Maybe it would calm me. The first sentence? "Trust and thankfulness will get you through this day." The second? "Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing." If God doesn't work in mysterious was I don't know what does. He always bring me a message in some way that releases my troubles. Yet He didn't stop there. I turned on a worship station on the way to the university and several songs made me teary eyed. I realized that this is not my home. These things are meaningless in the long run. This is just an exam that determined my worldly status, not heavenly. Thank goodness. I cannot take this grade with me to heaven. What does matter is how I rely on My Father to bring me peace and how I praise Him no matter what grade I make. One of the things I was worried about was disappointing my parents if I don't pass. Then I realized my Heavenly Father will be proud pass or fail if I praise Him through it all He is already proud.
So today I will walk into the facility not asking God for anything but thanking Him for this opportunity, the many blessings I have received, and offering Him all the glory of this day.
The truth about the "mythical" honeymoon stage
I know it has been a moment since I have made an appearance, I apologize truly. Less than a month is not that long now is it? Anywho I find myself busting with the need to share a story with you all. You see some friends and I were discussing relationships, particularly fighting in one. I listened but when they asked me how my darling and I fought I simply said "we don't." For that is the truth. He informs me when I am being illogical as I inform him when he has lost all of his marbles. At this point the group launches into a "its just a honeymoon phase it will end and you will fight, a lot."
This puzzled me you see, for I have known this gentlemen since I was a wee five years old and we were on and off most of elementary, middle, and a smidge of junior high until I moved away. Then we picked back up three years ago when we were both still in high school. How long does this honeymoon period last? This is what I pondered on most of my night. I will not lie to you sometimes, especially when it is getting close to the day in which I get to spend with him, he says the sweetest things. Such was the case last night. So I pondered this mythical creature better known as the honeymoon stage some more.
Then it dawned on me, it is just that- a myth. You see ladies and gentlemen my pa and nana are those people who openly make comments about wanting to take the other home or needed to leave and go home this instant because well wink wink. These two are like yearlings teasing and playing about. Mind you my pa is a striking 80 years wise. Would someone like to tell me they are just experiencing a very long honeymoon period? Why of course not, that would be silly. So there you have it, the honeymoon stage is just a myth. I only have eyes for the sweet thing I entertain myself with and such feelings trump my desire to do much of anything else, including argue. I am truly blessed though. This man is one who when I inform him I will have none of the same days off as him he simply states "it will be fine, we have managed before and we will do so again." No complaints, no arguing, just a simple support from a man who could not be any more perfect.
Find someone who makes you want to be better. Not because you are not already terrific but because they make you feel as if you are so terrific you can accomplish anything you so please. Find someone to inspire you and urge you on your endeavors. Enjoy the hunt lovelies.
This puzzled me you see, for I have known this gentlemen since I was a wee five years old and we were on and off most of elementary, middle, and a smidge of junior high until I moved away. Then we picked back up three years ago when we were both still in high school. How long does this honeymoon period last? This is what I pondered on most of my night. I will not lie to you sometimes, especially when it is getting close to the day in which I get to spend with him, he says the sweetest things. Such was the case last night. So I pondered this mythical creature better known as the honeymoon stage some more.
Then it dawned on me, it is just that- a myth. You see ladies and gentlemen my pa and nana are those people who openly make comments about wanting to take the other home or needed to leave and go home this instant because well wink wink. These two are like yearlings teasing and playing about. Mind you my pa is a striking 80 years wise. Would someone like to tell me they are just experiencing a very long honeymoon period? Why of course not, that would be silly. So there you have it, the honeymoon stage is just a myth. I only have eyes for the sweet thing I entertain myself with and such feelings trump my desire to do much of anything else, including argue. I am truly blessed though. This man is one who when I inform him I will have none of the same days off as him he simply states "it will be fine, we have managed before and we will do so again." No complaints, no arguing, just a simple support from a man who could not be any more perfect.
Find someone who makes you want to be better. Not because you are not already terrific but because they make you feel as if you are so terrific you can accomplish anything you so please. Find someone to inspire you and urge you on your endeavors. Enjoy the hunt lovelies.
Do not let loss blind you from the gains
When one loses someone very important, say a close friend, it can feel as if you have lost the things that hold so much importance. Yet this may be just the opposite, You see there are times when we loose something we often assume that it is a displeasure. Although, let me tell you, it may just be the exact opposite. I had once thought that change in the way my life functioned was a downfall worthy of mopping in my jammies with a pint of ice cream and a bottle of wine. I have come to the realization that in the wake of loss one can find a pure jewel. In some cases having a dark patch in one aspect may just justify the light shining ever so brightly in another. It may be that you now have a new found relationship with your better half, or something of that sort.
Without this turning into a long post I would just like to say that no matter what life throws your way you can always find a silver lining. If life throws you some lemons, head to the grocer and make a pie.
Enjoy your lives sweets,
-xoxo
Without this turning into a long post I would just like to say that no matter what life throws your way you can always find a silver lining. If life throws you some lemons, head to the grocer and make a pie.
Enjoy your lives sweets,
-xoxo
Not letting history repeat its self
The single most hardest thing in loosing Uncle David has been the regret. I will not lie, I still get choked up when I think about the should haves. Yet where will milling over the past get me? So in the wake up the tragedies that have shaken my family I have come to realize a few things. First and foremost there are only like nine of us left in the Cross family; my pa and nana, my uncle Danny and aunt Liz, My cousins Devin and Cindy, my uncle/dad and aunt/mom, my biological mother, and myself. So I suppose there is ten of us if you count myself. Either way that is literally just two hands full of folks. Second I realized I have always had somewhat of a super hero complex about my family. That is that my family will live forever and I will have the opportunity to become a grown up with my own house where I can invite them all to the holidays. As learned recently, I do not have forever. I may not even have tomorrow. There forth I have shamelessly set strategic reminders on my phone to call up those left in my family. The final realization I came to was that our family is far more broken then I had once thought. I suppose as a child I just supposed it was a little water that had not yet trickled under the bridge, I suppose that is not very factual. It seems as if we are all mostly strangers. Although it is in the most peculiar of ways. You see I watched as many sat together, that have not talked in a long while, and converse as old friends would. I believe it must be stubborn pride in the way of it all. Which is quite fitting if you know my family.
Either way I am writing this to let you know that tomorrow is not guaranteed. If there is something you wish to do that involves another soul, do not waste time as if it is endless. We are not immortal and this sweet world could send us home before we could even blink. In contrast if you are on the wronged side perhaps being the more sound person is due. Although you feel you do not need to reach your hand out and you are waiting on the other to do so, the other may leave us before they have a chance to lay down their pride. Perhaps you have tried and it is simply not working, what are you loosing by persistently trying?
Remember we live a life that has only granted us one promise and that is an eternity with The Lord if you but believe.
Enjoy today, and everyday, lovelies.
-xoxo
Either way I am writing this to let you know that tomorrow is not guaranteed. If there is something you wish to do that involves another soul, do not waste time as if it is endless. We are not immortal and this sweet world could send us home before we could even blink. In contrast if you are on the wronged side perhaps being the more sound person is due. Although you feel you do not need to reach your hand out and you are waiting on the other to do so, the other may leave us before they have a chance to lay down their pride. Perhaps you have tried and it is simply not working, what are you loosing by persistently trying?
Remember we live a life that has only granted us one promise and that is an eternity with The Lord if you but believe.
Enjoy today, and everyday, lovelies.
-xoxo
Loss, fear, and regret
I have restarted this sentence multiple times. Yet I do not suppose there is a proper way to begin this. My uncle has been sick for a long time. Since the late 90's really. It all started with a massive open heart surgery and has spiraled into recent events. Beyond that I would like to begin by saying my uncle David is among the rare breed of men. Loud, proud, and faithful until the last pin drops. There are three men in my life; my pa, my uncle David, and my father. Those three men have taught me everything I know about life, basically. You see in this family we love with all of our hearts, we put God first, our children, our other half, our family's, and our jobs. We work tooth and nail to bring home the bread. They have taught me much more but for length sake I will continue. My uncle suffered, at least two, heart attacks about two weeks ago before going into the hospital. The first one, like the rest of us, he was too stubborn to go to the hospital. Instead he took some nitro and rode it out. Naturally has gotten worst the past week, to the point that he was completely unresponsive.
You see I have two uncles, two aunts, two cousins, my grandparents, and my parents in my family. That is it, no extended family or any of that. But in this tiny unit something at some point went wrong. I remember being little and sitting on the couch with my aunt Liz celebrating what might had been Christmas. None the less I had a little pink diary type thing and she was helping me use it. Or there was all of the rodeos we went to together. Either way since I was young seeing them has been far and few in between. None the less when I knew my uncle David was sick all I wanted to do was to see him. Unfortunately it has been finals week, pre-holiday weeks at work, and holiday season in general so time was not permissive. Or so it did not seem. Yet Tuesday morning I realized no matter what I would drive up after I woke up and see him incase it was my last chance. But when I woke up my pa had called to tell me he was much worse and they would be moving him in the morning to the in hospital hospice unit. He wanted me to wait until in the morning but there was no way that was happening. So I got dressed and drove to town, when I got there the nurses let me in the ICU unit and I walked down the hall to the very end where he was. He looked so different yet so similar. I pulled up a chair and sat holding his hand and talking about all the memories of driving around in that cream colored car he loved so much. He would open his eyes, mainly because he was coughing so from his kidneys failing, and look at me. Not just an absent look but really look. I would just smile, probably the stupidest smile ever but I felt overwhelmingly blessed to be there holding his hand.
The nurse came in and gave him some more medicine, you could tell he was in immeasurable pain. He would moan and try to move himself, at times I saw the pain in his eyes and it tore at me. I had been watching the monitors like they held the transcript to my future so I had noticed the decline in his blood pressure that was barely 80/30 to begin with. It kept dropping and he stopped crying out or moving so, it was nearly peaceful. I called my pa so he could drive up but I knew it was time. I kept holding his hand and the nurse excused herself. I laid my forehead atop his and prayed with him until the last second when I laid my lips on his head and gave him one last kiss as I held his hand and heard the lines go flat.
The strangest thing was in that moment I did not feel grief or pain but immense gratitude and love. I knew exactly where he was and I felt so blessed to had the chance to hold his hand as The Good Lord took him home. Not but a moment after he slipped off the fire alarms went off in the building, followed by the sink in the room going off in which made me smile so wide. He was always a little pest. The doctors came in shortly and I excused myself while they cleaned him up for when my family got there. They had him cleaned up and pronounced moments before my pa and nana got there. Seeing my pa cry like that tore at the very seam of my heart. Later when my aunt Pat, David's wife, had arrived my pa said, between tears, "thank God there is a Jesus." It was one of those moments that change you forever.
None the less I learned a lot from uncle David, even in his last moments I learned to never miss a chance to love someone. I hope you are all doing wonderful and are eagerly awaiting Christmas and the New Year. I love each and every one of y'all. Thank God there is a Jesus.
-xoxo
You see I have two uncles, two aunts, two cousins, my grandparents, and my parents in my family. That is it, no extended family or any of that. But in this tiny unit something at some point went wrong. I remember being little and sitting on the couch with my aunt Liz celebrating what might had been Christmas. None the less I had a little pink diary type thing and she was helping me use it. Or there was all of the rodeos we went to together. Either way since I was young seeing them has been far and few in between. None the less when I knew my uncle David was sick all I wanted to do was to see him. Unfortunately it has been finals week, pre-holiday weeks at work, and holiday season in general so time was not permissive. Or so it did not seem. Yet Tuesday morning I realized no matter what I would drive up after I woke up and see him incase it was my last chance. But when I woke up my pa had called to tell me he was much worse and they would be moving him in the morning to the in hospital hospice unit. He wanted me to wait until in the morning but there was no way that was happening. So I got dressed and drove to town, when I got there the nurses let me in the ICU unit and I walked down the hall to the very end where he was. He looked so different yet so similar. I pulled up a chair and sat holding his hand and talking about all the memories of driving around in that cream colored car he loved so much. He would open his eyes, mainly because he was coughing so from his kidneys failing, and look at me. Not just an absent look but really look. I would just smile, probably the stupidest smile ever but I felt overwhelmingly blessed to be there holding his hand.
The nurse came in and gave him some more medicine, you could tell he was in immeasurable pain. He would moan and try to move himself, at times I saw the pain in his eyes and it tore at me. I had been watching the monitors like they held the transcript to my future so I had noticed the decline in his blood pressure that was barely 80/30 to begin with. It kept dropping and he stopped crying out or moving so, it was nearly peaceful. I called my pa so he could drive up but I knew it was time. I kept holding his hand and the nurse excused herself. I laid my forehead atop his and prayed with him until the last second when I laid my lips on his head and gave him one last kiss as I held his hand and heard the lines go flat.
The strangest thing was in that moment I did not feel grief or pain but immense gratitude and love. I knew exactly where he was and I felt so blessed to had the chance to hold his hand as The Good Lord took him home. Not but a moment after he slipped off the fire alarms went off in the building, followed by the sink in the room going off in which made me smile so wide. He was always a little pest. The doctors came in shortly and I excused myself while they cleaned him up for when my family got there. They had him cleaned up and pronounced moments before my pa and nana got there. Seeing my pa cry like that tore at the very seam of my heart. Later when my aunt Pat, David's wife, had arrived my pa said, between tears, "thank God there is a Jesus." It was one of those moments that change you forever.
None the less I learned a lot from uncle David, even in his last moments I learned to never miss a chance to love someone. I hope you are all doing wonderful and are eagerly awaiting Christmas and the New Year. I love each and every one of y'all. Thank God there is a Jesus.
-xoxo
The Not so Jolly Green Queen
If I was to be honest I would tell you that I, Ashley Dale, have a jealous streak. Now you see the normal human race falls into two categories, usually at least. The first category contains those whom do not get jealous. Which to me, seems absolutely impossible but hey, to each their own I suppose. The second contains those of whom are manically jealous and let those feelings flow freely and openly. Spastic and usually extremely off-putting and over baring if you ask me. Then there is a third category, a sad lot really. We are those who are jealous in a manically suppressed way. You see, it is a disease that we suffer from. I like to call it manically suppressed jealousy syndrome, or MSJS to protect our dignity. The symptoms are quite simple really. They encompass, but are not limited to, being jealous about something and letting it eat at you for moments upon moments because you are simply not the type of person to tell someone how to live their life. You see most of us do not like being overly forward, this causes most of the suppression I suppose. Then there are some of us, whom are very forward on most things but when it comes to possible angering or hurting some ones feelings we turn into little piles of mash and chose the “say nothing and brew” route. Because that always turns out fabulous.
Now do not get me wrong, I am not admitting I have a problem because that would imply I have intentions to change my ways. Which, by the way, I do not have any such intentions. My MSJS causes way less confrontations and those who have met my jealous side know it is a wicked creature. A creature whom needs to stay put away for safe keeping.
Anyways, I apologize for my lack of posts here lately. Let’s just say finals week, holidays, working overtime, and being extremely sick has handed my bum to me on a silver platter. How is everyone? Spectacular I hope. Enjoy the day lovelies.
-xoxo
Now do not get me wrong, I am not admitting I have a problem because that would imply I have intentions to change my ways. Which, by the way, I do not have any such intentions. My MSJS causes way less confrontations and those who have met my jealous side know it is a wicked creature. A creature whom needs to stay put away for safe keeping.
Anyways, I apologize for my lack of posts here lately. Let’s just say finals week, holidays, working overtime, and being extremely sick has handed my bum to me on a silver platter. How is everyone? Spectacular I hope. Enjoy the day lovelies.
-xoxo
Calendar Update, In case You Did not Know
So it is December, the last month of the year. As if you
were not aware how the calendar works. Anywho, how crazy is that?!? I mean
really, where has the year gone? It has been a productive one so far and I
completely plan on ending it as one as well. I hope that you all have big plans
for this month, I know I have grand hopes. I want to go to see a couple light
festivals, have a classic Christmas movie night –complete with hot chocolate of
course, and do many other festive things. I know, I am an old soul. My grandest
hopes thrive on enjoying festivities with my honey. I have no shame or regrets.
Tell me, what do you all plan to do this Christmas season?
-xoxo
-xoxo
Oh Christmas Tree and Such
Well the time has come, I just need to put that darling up
and deck it to the fullest. Does anyone else get sappy this time of year? Like
the holidays make we want to have those I love together like every single day.
As soon as the weather changed I wanted to make soups and stews in the crock
pot daily and have family dinners. Not to mention I wanted to make them all
help decorate the house for Christmas as we sip spiked eggnog and sing
Christmas carols. Yes, I am one of those crazy traditional holiday lovers. It
is one of the things I look forward to most when I move out. My poor
significant other shall endure building holiday traditions and festive singing,
off key of course. Luckily he adores the holidays too, so I suppose that will
not be a problem.
Yet before he exists in my living arrangements, I suppose, without any luck, I will be alone for a spell. In which time I plan on singing and dancing to Christmas carols, drinking spiked eggnog, decorating the house, and making stews and soups in my crock pot by my lonesome as a read a grand book. Loneliness will not hinder my plans. I am also one of those people who can stand my own even when I am alone. Speaking of alone, I will have a dog and one of those little fireplace looking heaters. That way I can curl up with Indigo and a good book in front of the fire. With a fluffy blanket and some hot tea or coco of course. Oh, and why yes I wish to name my canine Indigo. I also wish to call him Indy for short. Do not judge me.
Cheers you lovely creatures, enjoy the season.
-xoxo
Yet before he exists in my living arrangements, I suppose, without any luck, I will be alone for a spell. In which time I plan on singing and dancing to Christmas carols, drinking spiked eggnog, decorating the house, and making stews and soups in my crock pot by my lonesome as a read a grand book. Loneliness will not hinder my plans. I am also one of those people who can stand my own even when I am alone. Speaking of alone, I will have a dog and one of those little fireplace looking heaters. That way I can curl up with Indigo and a good book in front of the fire. With a fluffy blanket and some hot tea or coco of course. Oh, and why yes I wish to name my canine Indigo. I also wish to call him Indy for short. Do not judge me.
Cheers you lovely creatures, enjoy the season.
-xoxo
Country Bells and Shenanigans
Yes, I did rewrite jingle bells. No I do not have shame.
Dashing through the snow
In a trailer full of hay
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Shiner in one hand
Coors in the other
What fun it is to drink and sing
Our sleighing song tonight
Oh country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay, hey
Country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay
A day or two ago
I gathered up the wood
And now the flames shine bright
From our bonfire
The beer is nice and cold
The jack will keep us warm
We’ve got our friends right here
And we aren’t going home
Oh country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay, hey
Country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay
Dashing through the snow
In a trailer full of hay
Over the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Shiner in one hand
Coors in the other
What fun it is to drink and sing
Our sleighing song tonight
Oh country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay, hey
Country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay
A day or two ago
I gathered up the wood
And now the flames shine bright
From our bonfire
The beer is nice and cold
The jack will keep us warm
We’ve got our friends right here
And we aren’t going home
Oh country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay, hey
Country bells country bells
Country all the way
Oh what fun it is to drink
On our trailer full of hay
Deckery and such
For what it is worth, I find myself wrapped up in the dreams of my future tonight. Naturally, as all dreamers do, it has severely hindered my abilities to accomplish much else. You see as Christmas draws near I find myself, a little more so each passing day, drawn to thoughts of Christmas tunes dancing around myself, and whomever I share my place with, while we deck the tree. Followed by celebratory deckery of every nook and cranny in the whole entire house, simply because I am one of those people who have a fiery love for the great holiday of Christmas. I thoroughly adore spending the night driving through different light displays while sipping cider that we packed in a thermos. Additionally I adore cuddling up to a traditional frosty the snow man or Rudolph movie while sipping something warm- probably spiced cider. I mean why wouldn't you adore this season?
I will tell you that we had our first snow Sunday and it was perfection. First, and foremost, because I was out and about with that dear prince of mine when it began to snow and second because it was snow! Like who does not love it when it snows?!?
Anywho, I just wanted to pop in and say that I hope you are all doing lovely and are as excited about the holidays! I know I have been mia but with finals and such for this semester things have been hectic. Finding me time has been like finding some sort of magic unicorn in a candy cane forest. Either way, cheers to another semester gone, well almost!
-xoxo
I will tell you that we had our first snow Sunday and it was perfection. First, and foremost, because I was out and about with that dear prince of mine when it began to snow and second because it was snow! Like who does not love it when it snows?!?
Anywho, I just wanted to pop in and say that I hope you are all doing lovely and are as excited about the holidays! I know I have been mia but with finals and such for this semester things have been hectic. Finding me time has been like finding some sort of magic unicorn in a candy cane forest. Either way, cheers to another semester gone, well almost!
-xoxo
So, my bad a prince has become even more of a bad a. He now plays ball. Like I am not sure where it came from but with my love of sports it is only fitting for me to find this incredibly exciting and a whole lot attractive. Tattoos, beard, sports. Yup this relationship could possibly work!
Anywho hope you all are lovely.
-xoxo
So, I am trying ridiculously hard to hold off on decorating for Christmas. But my fellow instagramers are killing my strength! Cut it out guys, I can only see so many gorgeous decorations before my heart burst into flames, I put some cider on and start decking every hall in sight! I must wait until the day after Thanksgiving. I must enjoy the fall decorations for a while longer. Must, be, strong. Good gravy on a Sunday morn. Jeesh.
It just so happens, I cannot lie
Why good evening my dears. So in my neck of the woods we are expecting a rather cold cold front. I am talking temperatures below freezing. Now this is quite exciting for me. I know, I know. But think about all the good things that the cold brings us! Layers upon layers of clothes, thick jackets, boots, gloves, hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate, snow, ice, cuddles, fires, and so much more. I mean how perfect does cuddling up in bed with your honey, watching or reading something while sipping some hot tea sound? That is what I thought.
I mean just think of all the things one could do during the cold months. Not to mention the ice and snow, I enjoyed it oh so much last year. Baring everyone else thought the world was ending and I worried about my friends and loved ones that were on the road. Yet I loved it.
With that being said I am going to cuddle down, alone sadly, and enjoy my hot pumpkin spice black tea while I read "Loveology" which is an amazing book. Good night you amazing thing you.
-xoxo
I mean just think of all the things one could do during the cold months. Not to mention the ice and snow, I enjoyed it oh so much last year. Baring everyone else thought the world was ending and I worried about my friends and loved ones that were on the road. Yet I loved it.
With that being said I am going to cuddle down, alone sadly, and enjoy my hot pumpkin spice black tea while I read "Loveology" which is an amazing book. Good night you amazing thing you.
-xoxo
When your mind is definitely not there
When I am sitting in class and I seriously would like to be somewhere else. That is me, right now. All I can think about is being on vacation, or with that prince of mine, or goodness anywhere but in this class. Let me tell you this class is driving me nuts, I have the motivation of a peanut. Anyways shout out to all the college students out there. I hope your days are lovely you beautiful creatures.
-xoxo
-xoxo
Oh holidays, Oh holidays
Is anyone else a holiday season lover? Oh I am! Let me tell you between spice flavored and scented everything, fall décor, Christmas trees, parades and so much more I could not love it more. I cannot tell y'all how much I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas! It gives me so much hope. The holidays make me excited for the someday to have my own home, whether it be an apartment or whatever, to decorate. Not to mention having a little family, I want to do so many cute things for my family. I want the holidays to be full of love laughter and tradition. Oh my how I cannot wait.
A Topsy Turvey Turn of Events
One may say that the pain goes away from an abusive relationship, and it may. Although I know for sure it must take much time. I would be nice to say that one second could erase five years of pain but that does not seem to be the case. The worst part is that even though you know the person you are with is absolutely perfect you are still hesitant. Especially with things that acquire much trust. Once you have handed someone that trust and had it crushed before you it is seemingly difficult to hand over such trust again. None the less if you do take that dive you are left with none other than a million different thoughts. It is simply quite a hazy place to be. Luckily some people find someone to ease that struggle and even though the haze stays thick and wretchedly confusing there is a strange comfort in knowing things are not the same.
When prayer becomes part of your relationship
You know this relationship is monumentally different from the last, but one of the biggest is in the prayer. I used to spend my prayer on fixing me, because of course he was a jerk because I was not good enough, or I would pray for strength in the relationship or be begging God on how this relationship was possibly going to work.
Yet in this relationship I spend all of my prayer on him. There has not been a time that I have driven past his work without praying for the place, those he works with, the company, and naturally him. I hardly ever catch myself in prayer for the actual existence of the relationship. Even when I do it is more a prayer for blessings on it. The other prayer I spend a lot of time on is thanking God. In our normal conversations I find myself lost somewhere between the sea that exists in his eyes and wanting to hug God for the amazing blessing that he is. My prayers in the relationship is completely different.
My point is ladies and gentlemen; if you find your prayers revolving around making the relationship exist and not on the person something is up. Do not fool yourself, if it is meant to be it does not feel like work. You will not have to wonder if what you are doing is correct. You deserve a royal like relationship to feel comfortable in, search for it and do not settle for less. You are worth it and the sooner you learn that the sooner you will find your freedom in love and happiness.
Yet in this relationship I spend all of my prayer on him. There has not been a time that I have driven past his work without praying for the place, those he works with, the company, and naturally him. I hardly ever catch myself in prayer for the actual existence of the relationship. Even when I do it is more a prayer for blessings on it. The other prayer I spend a lot of time on is thanking God. In our normal conversations I find myself lost somewhere between the sea that exists in his eyes and wanting to hug God for the amazing blessing that he is. My prayers in the relationship is completely different.
My point is ladies and gentlemen; if you find your prayers revolving around making the relationship exist and not on the person something is up. Do not fool yourself, if it is meant to be it does not feel like work. You will not have to wonder if what you are doing is correct. You deserve a royal like relationship to feel comfortable in, search for it and do not settle for less. You are worth it and the sooner you learn that the sooner you will find your freedom in love and happiness.
#blogtober day thirty
I cannot believe we have made it through almost a whole month while only missing a few days! Wow. I am excited about tomorrows no doubt! But as for today the topic is some facts about me. Which is actually pretty difficult. I have been trying to think of things for at least thirty minutes but I suppose I am not very exciting. Either way, here goes nothing.
I secretly listen to rap when I am sleepy driving home. Especially those 5am drives to school.
I like to dance, secretly, in the car, or my room, anywhere where no one who matters can see.
I also like to sing, loudly, anywhere where no one can hear.
I love writing
I love being a dreamer. I spend countless hours thinking about my future.
I am the biggest worrier on the planet. Seriously, I worry about everything and anything at any given moment. I have like worst case scenario syndrome.
I am a book worm. I love, love, love to read.
I am very picky. Books, smells, tastes, things of that nature I am so picky.
I have the best time being creative. I adore making cards for people, I hate buying them.
I only make cards for people I really trust because I am really self conscious about my art.
I am addicted to fictional creatures; mermaids, vampires, and others.
I like anything outside. Painting, yard work, riding, running, and anything else.
I am addicted to the fit life.
I have lost 70+ pounds since February. It is weird.
I struggle between wanting a pixie cut and having my hair long enough for a killer messy bun. It is real.
I love interior design.
I secretly listen to rap when I am sleepy driving home. Especially those 5am drives to school.
I like to dance, secretly, in the car, or my room, anywhere where no one who matters can see.
I also like to sing, loudly, anywhere where no one can hear.
I love writing
I love being a dreamer. I spend countless hours thinking about my future.
I am the biggest worrier on the planet. Seriously, I worry about everything and anything at any given moment. I have like worst case scenario syndrome.
I am a book worm. I love, love, love to read.
I am very picky. Books, smells, tastes, things of that nature I am so picky.
I have the best time being creative. I adore making cards for people, I hate buying them.
I only make cards for people I really trust because I am really self conscious about my art.
I am addicted to fictional creatures; mermaids, vampires, and others.
I like anything outside. Painting, yard work, riding, running, and anything else.
I am addicted to the fit life.
I have lost 70+ pounds since February. It is weird.
I struggle between wanting a pixie cut and having my hair long enough for a killer messy bun. It is real.
I love interior design.
#blogtober day twenty-seven
Today is a letter to my younger self. Just a warning, my younger self was something of a mess. A big one.
Sweet young Ashley,
I am sorry I did not love you more. I am sorry I did not think you were beautiful. I was blind to all the struggles you were going through and I never came to your rescue. I let you drink and medicate the pain away. Then I let you stay with an abusive man for years. I am sorry for those things. But I want you to know that you are strong now. You are so beautiful, you always have been you just see it now. I do not mean the magazine beauty, although I suppose you are, but the kind of beautiful that drives you towards every single day without giving in.
All those scars on your body? They are still there, but you embrace them.
All those dreams you had of college and a life? You are so close.
That sorry excuse for a man? He is far away and you are plenty safe. Matter of fact you have moved on, you spend time with a man without fearing if he will get angry every two seconds. It is blissful, I assure you. I watched you cry over the house you were in, that is far away too. Those people included. You have a safe and happy home. It is pretty different but it is also blissful.
One thing that is still very much the same is your papa. He is still watching you and loving you every second of every day. Oh, do not let me forget the ironic things. Would you believe that little boy from grade school is the same man in your life. I will give you a moment to laugh at that one. You also weigh less now then you did. Weird hu?
Please know that God had not forsaken you. He was using the trials and tribulations to build a wonderful, more powerful, version of you. I know I used to think about you in ill light but I have learned to love you. You were simply lost. But if you had not been so lost, the road to finding this version of you would not had been so sweet. Thank you for giving me that gift. This has truly been a sweet ride. Rest sweetly little girl.
-xoxo
Sweet young Ashley,
I am sorry I did not love you more. I am sorry I did not think you were beautiful. I was blind to all the struggles you were going through and I never came to your rescue. I let you drink and medicate the pain away. Then I let you stay with an abusive man for years. I am sorry for those things. But I want you to know that you are strong now. You are so beautiful, you always have been you just see it now. I do not mean the magazine beauty, although I suppose you are, but the kind of beautiful that drives you towards every single day without giving in.
All those scars on your body? They are still there, but you embrace them.
All those dreams you had of college and a life? You are so close.
That sorry excuse for a man? He is far away and you are plenty safe. Matter of fact you have moved on, you spend time with a man without fearing if he will get angry every two seconds. It is blissful, I assure you. I watched you cry over the house you were in, that is far away too. Those people included. You have a safe and happy home. It is pretty different but it is also blissful.
One thing that is still very much the same is your papa. He is still watching you and loving you every second of every day. Oh, do not let me forget the ironic things. Would you believe that little boy from grade school is the same man in your life. I will give you a moment to laugh at that one. You also weigh less now then you did. Weird hu?
Please know that God had not forsaken you. He was using the trials and tribulations to build a wonderful, more powerful, version of you. I know I used to think about you in ill light but I have learned to love you. You were simply lost. But if you had not been so lost, the road to finding this version of you would not had been so sweet. Thank you for giving me that gift. This has truly been a sweet ride. Rest sweetly little girl.
-xoxo
#blogtober day twenty-five
Let's not stretch the truth
So let me explain. I have lost 70 pounds since February. That is reason enough for some serious body changes. Especially those only I can see. I've discussed how my arms have changed and now I'm going to open the emotional door to my tummy secrets.
Now first let me say, I lift. So I'm toning, more now than ever since I noticed. Second this picture was taken standing up so note that when I'm sitting it comes together more and sorta bunches up. Ladies and gentlemen these are my tiger stripes. I was rewarded them throughout my teen years while struggling with a bad home life, depression, and other things. I survived it but now I am pushing towards a changed self. Hence the seventy pounds. These bad boys used to be really far apart and spread over a much larger area. As I lost the weight they came together and are concentrated. Now I could pout over this or I could say "hey look at that success, time to tone". I'm choosing the later. I'm not going to lie I look at this skin and marks daily. I'm temporarily obsessed, but that shall pass. As I continue to loose and work towards my goal of 100 down by February I will tone more and more. My point in this post is that you can choose how you feel about anything. Positivity or negativity is all in your hands. Have a good day lovelies. -xoxo |
#blogtober day twenty
What is Ashley's biggest fear? This one is definitely not a secret. I fear failing and being alone more than anything in the whole entire world. There is nothing that scares me more than feeling like I am letting myself or anyone else down or being alone. But then again who likes to fail and be lonely?
The thing is that fear is our biggest enemies or it can be our biggest motivator. I suppose the later is a better choice. So use your fears to push you forward. I hope you all have had a beautiful day.
-xoxo
The thing is that fear is our biggest enemies or it can be our biggest motivator. I suppose the later is a better choice. So use your fears to push you forward. I hope you all have had a beautiful day.
-xoxo
Psa. Today I have some midterms and I would really love a little prayer, or thoughts if you prefer to think. Is there something I could pray for you about? Give me a shout in the spot at the top of the page. I would love to add your name to my prayer board.
-xoxo
#blogtober day nineteen
This one is a hard one, what makes Ashley happy. This could be a serious list, a short list, and more importantly an ever changing list. Anyways, I shall give this a whirl. So I love fall. No like seriously love fall. You see leggings, big sweaters, scarves, buns, fires, roasted marshmallows, beer, and all of that jazz. It just makes me so excited, and pumpkin carving! I love to carve a good ole pumpkin. Which reminds me I need to tell the prince I want to carve pumpkins with him. But equally, I love summer. Bathing suits, tanning oil, sand, water, blonder hair, all of it is fabulous. Yet when I think of it I am super fond of fire place fires, tons of clothes, and snow. Oh and do not leave out the blooming flowers, soft chilly winds, and green- green fields of spring. I could seriously find something about every season that makes me excited. And Christmas and Thanksgiving! I love to cook and I literally cannot wait to have my own place to gather both sides of the family to enjoy a meal. How exciting does that sound? Oops, do not forget Halloween too. I love getting to dress up and be crazy for a night. I always work, it seems, on Halloween but that makes it even funner because you are smack in the public eyes.
Equally I love, clean sheets, burning candles, and a nice movie after a long bubble bath. But who does not? Although, I do think sweats, big tshirts, video games, pizza, and beer is always a great night too. What can I say I am a lady of many loves. Jo! I love a nice cup of super yummy Jo. And dreaming, that is beyond my favorite. I love to sit and dream about my life, or what it would be like if I went here or did this. Gosh I love the Lord too. How He has blessed me. Sometimes am I a blind old bat, but those times I let my heart open I nearly am brought to tears.
I could continue for days and days over things I love, mason jars, shakeology, the gym, bailed fields, and tons more. But the Jo pot is a buzzing and this mask on my face is drying pretty hard. So I suppose I should tell you all to have a wonderful day you absolutely stunning creatures. Enjoy it, and take some time to think about the things that you love. Be grateful and bask it up. I love that you exist.
-xoxo
Equally I love, clean sheets, burning candles, and a nice movie after a long bubble bath. But who does not? Although, I do think sweats, big tshirts, video games, pizza, and beer is always a great night too. What can I say I am a lady of many loves. Jo! I love a nice cup of super yummy Jo. And dreaming, that is beyond my favorite. I love to sit and dream about my life, or what it would be like if I went here or did this. Gosh I love the Lord too. How He has blessed me. Sometimes am I a blind old bat, but those times I let my heart open I nearly am brought to tears.
I could continue for days and days over things I love, mason jars, shakeology, the gym, bailed fields, and tons more. But the Jo pot is a buzzing and this mask on my face is drying pretty hard. So I suppose I should tell you all to have a wonderful day you absolutely stunning creatures. Enjoy it, and take some time to think about the things that you love. Be grateful and bask it up. I love that you exist.
-xoxo
A letter to a prince
Well, sort of.
Anyways I just want to publically congratulate one of the most beautiful men I have ever met in my entire life. You made it to the big twenty-one honey. Not only did you make it but you did so with so much class. You are an amazing employee at a job you adore, an amazing son to a breath takingly beautiful mother, and one of the most chivalrous men I have ever met. That, in this day in age, is a achievement in its own. I could tell you daily how much I adore you, in which I plan on, but I know you will never really grasp how amazing you are.
I hope today is everything you have every hoped for. In truth we wait all of our lives, mainly, to turn twenty-one for one reason or another. So take a shot, or three, and drink plenty of beer. Kick back and enjoy today with your family and those crazy wonderful friends of yours. Because you my love have accomplished more in these twenty-one years than most men do in thirty. I love you, and happy birthday.
-xoxo
Anyways I just want to publically congratulate one of the most beautiful men I have ever met in my entire life. You made it to the big twenty-one honey. Not only did you make it but you did so with so much class. You are an amazing employee at a job you adore, an amazing son to a breath takingly beautiful mother, and one of the most chivalrous men I have ever met. That, in this day in age, is a achievement in its own. I could tell you daily how much I adore you, in which I plan on, but I know you will never really grasp how amazing you are.
I hope today is everything you have every hoped for. In truth we wait all of our lives, mainly, to turn twenty-one for one reason or another. So take a shot, or three, and drink plenty of beer. Kick back and enjoy today with your family and those crazy wonderful friends of yours. Because you my love have accomplished more in these twenty-one years than most men do in thirty. I love you, and happy birthday.
-xoxo
#blogtober day eighteen
So, day eighteens prompt is a secret about you. Gasp. Cue mildly inappropriate scary Halloween music. Well I suppose there are a lot of secrets I could share, so how does one choose? I've thought about this since reading the prompt yesterday and I have decided to admit the following;
I, Ashley Dale, am a dreamer. Shush, I know you knew that, I am not done. You see I spend majority of my days lost in my thoughts. While I am strolling through my thoughts I am always writing a story in my mind. I could probably write a book in a month if I wrote all of this stuff down. Weather it be a non-fictional story based on my life or a fictional story based on the hopes and dreams of my soul. Put your boots on guys, this stuff is getting deep.
You see most the time I am dreaming about my future. Not only am I dreaming but I am writing a whole story in this noggin of mine. I have honestly thought about writing these things down but honestly if that journal ever got out it would be horrifying. All jokes aside.
Truth be told I have probably planned majority of my life, extensively. If I have not, give me a day and I will mentally write you a skillful, beautiful story line.
So there it is ladies and gentlemen. I am a mental writer, author, and narrator of my life and other nonsense. Anyone else? What are your secrets? Are they juicy? Mine simply are the secrets of a forty year old. Everyone knows I have an old soul, I love it. Well mostly.
I know your days are ending but mine is just starting. I work tonight so my night will end at a beautiful seven am Sunday morning. God, I love Sunday mornings. So beautiful. Anywho, have a beautiful nights my sweet glow bugs.
-xoxo
I, Ashley Dale, am a dreamer. Shush, I know you knew that, I am not done. You see I spend majority of my days lost in my thoughts. While I am strolling through my thoughts I am always writing a story in my mind. I could probably write a book in a month if I wrote all of this stuff down. Weather it be a non-fictional story based on my life or a fictional story based on the hopes and dreams of my soul. Put your boots on guys, this stuff is getting deep.
You see most the time I am dreaming about my future. Not only am I dreaming but I am writing a whole story in this noggin of mine. I have honestly thought about writing these things down but honestly if that journal ever got out it would be horrifying. All jokes aside.
Truth be told I have probably planned majority of my life, extensively. If I have not, give me a day and I will mentally write you a skillful, beautiful story line.
So there it is ladies and gentlemen. I am a mental writer, author, and narrator of my life and other nonsense. Anyone else? What are your secrets? Are they juicy? Mine simply are the secrets of a forty year old. Everyone knows I have an old soul, I love it. Well mostly.
I know your days are ending but mine is just starting. I work tonight so my night will end at a beautiful seven am Sunday morning. God, I love Sunday mornings. So beautiful. Anywho, have a beautiful nights my sweet glow bugs.
-xoxo
psa; today I edited the site entirely. I am hoping everything is fixed and all of the previously missing posts are now showing. I know the #blogtober stuff has been hiding somewhere in "I exist on the editors page but not the views because I am bratty" space. From now on I am going to check the views page before assuming the edits are saved. Yay for learning, right? Have a fabulous day you royal creatures.
-xoxo
#blogtober day seventeen
Oh, today is "I am an expert at ____". I decided on a teacher related expertise. Because as educators we are all experts at saying some strange things with a straight face. For example the other day in a physical education class, where we were using big bouncy balls in the activity, I said "alright, let's all grab our balls, and hold them still until we start the game." Now being twenty, when I say these things I giggle inside. I mean seriously how does anyone say "let's grab our balls" without laughing. Now these kids never catch it, at least that I can tell, but never the less I am an expert at saying inappropriate things with a straight face.
What are y'all an expert at? Let me know. As always have a beautiful day and enjoy it.
-xoxo
What are y'all an expert at? Let me know. As always have a beautiful day and enjoy it.
-xoxo
"Genetically gifted women"
Once again, somehow, the page crashed and low and behold I lost my original post. Sad face. I am going to make this short and sweet because there is no way it will be as passionate as the other.
So this morning Good Morning America made the statement that such and such was now most attractive women in America congratulations on joining the "genetically elite". Uhm, this implies that somehow everyone else is less than these selected humans and that only looks qualifies one as genetically elite. Both of which are wrong. Let me tell you all something; we are all made in the image of the elite God which makes us elite by default. Second there is a lot more to genetics than just looks so in order to be genetically elite there would have to be more than such factored in, making such a statement null and void.
In closing, you are elite. You are a queen or king in every sense of the word. Live your life as such and do not allow some fickle media to make you think otherwise!
I hope you are all having a terrific Tuesday.
-xoxo
So this morning Good Morning America made the statement that such and such was now most attractive women in America congratulations on joining the "genetically elite". Uhm, this implies that somehow everyone else is less than these selected humans and that only looks qualifies one as genetically elite. Both of which are wrong. Let me tell you all something; we are all made in the image of the elite God which makes us elite by default. Second there is a lot more to genetics than just looks so in order to be genetically elite there would have to be more than such factored in, making such a statement null and void.
In closing, you are elite. You are a queen or king in every sense of the word. Live your life as such and do not allow some fickle media to make you think otherwise!
I hope you are all having a terrific Tuesday.
-xoxo
#blogtober day sixteen
Fall fashion! First off my day looks like this; wake up put on slacks or a dress for teaching, go to school and teach, change for workout, put slack or dress back on, change for work which is black slacks and a collared button down, come home, shower, put on pajamas, throw hair up in a bun if it wasn't in one all day, sleep. Wake up and grind all over again. What can I say, I hustle daily. So my fall fashion is not exactly what I get to wear daily, but the first chance I have some down time at home I throw on the leggings, baggy t-shirt or sweater, fluffy socks, high bun in the hair, my glasses, my laptop to blog or a book to read, and I pair that mess with a big ole cup of Jo. That is my fall fashion, because when you are a product of the grind you relax like a boss. Oh, how I love fall. Take a deep breath guys, indulge in the things you love. Tell me what you love to wear in fall, I would love to know.
-xoxo |
Chocolate Shakeology Recipe
1 scoop of chocolate shakeology
3tsp. of Peanut Butter Co. white chocolate peanut butter
8oz of almond milk
ice
blend. blend. blend.
wash your blender and enjoy
{3tsp. 1yellow. 1red.}
-xoxo
1 scoop of chocolate shakeology
3tsp. of Peanut Butter Co. white chocolate peanut butter
8oz of almond milk
ice
blend. blend. blend.
wash your blender and enjoy
{3tsp. 1yellow. 1red.}
-xoxo
Fires, sweaters, leggings, and shakeology.
Seriously, could this be any better? I woke up today from a perfect slumber, which hasn't happened in weeks. Burned off roughly three hundred calories in about twenty minutes, made me a killer shakeology, came outside in my sweater and yoga pants to sit by a fire with my parents. Oh and I made time for blogging! I must be dreaming right? Why am I not working on homework at the dinning room table? Because sometimes you need to take a breather and today was the day! Hmmm there are a lot of question marks and exclamation marks, I must be confused and yelling. Ill stop that.
Anywho I am super ready for some winter weather even though I know this is just a tease and the warm weather will return before we get to bask in days of dark sky's and chilly winds. Has anyone else noticed you only miss the snow when its the last part of winter and you miss the sun shine and beaches in the last parts of winter? We are such fickle creatures.
I hope these words find you simply pleasant and you are enjoying this day. If you are not crack open a bottle of wine and find some inner peace in a nice bubble bath. You deserve it.
-xoxo
Anywho I am super ready for some winter weather even though I know this is just a tease and the warm weather will return before we get to bask in days of dark sky's and chilly winds. Has anyone else noticed you only miss the snow when its the last part of winter and you miss the sun shine and beaches in the last parts of winter? We are such fickle creatures.
I hope these words find you simply pleasant and you are enjoying this day. If you are not crack open a bottle of wine and find some inner peace in a nice bubble bath. You deserve it.
-xoxo
#blogtober day fifteen
My favorite quote and why is "in a few hours you will read that I have died, but do not be easily deceived for I am more alive than ever." This quote is from a movie I believe. It is one that I jotted down in my journal before I started writing where I heard them. I did not think it was important until I really wanted to know where in the world I heard this quote. Needless to say from that moment on I documented where I heard them.
Anyways I wish to have this quote on my head stone when I go to be with the Lord. It is so simple yet says so much. In all truth, when we die and go to be with the Lord we are more alive than we have ever been. It may not make the pain for those you leave easier, but it is reassuring to know that the person in dwelling with the Lord.
Anyways I wish to have this quote on my head stone when I go to be with the Lord. It is so simple yet says so much. In all truth, when we die and go to be with the Lord we are more alive than we have ever been. It may not make the pain for those you leave easier, but it is reassuring to know that the person in dwelling with the Lord.
Absolutely, completely, and utterly engulfed in the feels.
You know, I could probably act like I do not have these days. But seriously I tell y'all everything so why pretend? I got off work after a long night and turned on the radio and this song "Amnesia" by 5 Seconds of Summer came on. Let me tell you something this song reminded me of exactly how I felt in my last wreck of a relationship. He was abusive in all aspects of the word and during the five years I was his pawn I would think about this young man I dated through elementary and middle school. In a totally non-stalker way I would check up on his Facebook or Myspace, because that existed then. I would do this just to see if he was okay. It was a weird feeling and it came in waves, usually after I had spent hours crying over how the current boy had hurt me. I remember so much about the past I had with this young man. From kindergarten to our first kiss at some football game by this light pole by the home bleachers. Don't judge me.
Let me just say I am so completely blessed. No, seriously. I was so young and I never knew how much I loved this kid. If someone would had told the seventh grade me that years later I would be driving home fighting tears because of the overwhelming feeling of being blessed and happy I would probably had laughed you off the face of the earth. It's been over two years and this man has never hurt me. Now most people are like "Ashley guys should not hurt you." to that I say that being hurt by a "man" was my norm. It was a daily occurrence and it is so mind blowing that this man has not done so in the more than two years he has been back in my life.
In addition I would like to say that I remember all the tiny things much more than the dates or whatever. I cannot imagine my life without knowing the feeling of his hand around mine driving home from Whitewright. Or the way his arms feel wrapped around me as I fall asleep next to him. The look he gives me at the most ridiculous times, like he isn't looking at me but at my heart. I literally could not imagine him in my life, it is nuts.
So, like all of my ranty posts, this has a point. Do not ever regret your past. Did I spend far too long being someone's punching bag? Well maybe. But it led me to the place I am today and I could not be any happier. Enjoy the ride guys, things will work out. Happiness finds those who are willing to embrace it. Blessings come in the most unlikely forms, just be still and let it happen. I pray all of you find someone who you can spend hours wrapped up in your thoughts thinking about. I remember praying for this man while I was in the midst of my crummy relationship. It was a simple prayer every time; Lord please keep him safe. I swear it had no motives behind it other than I felt like praying for him. How nuts is that? I think about that often and it blows my little mind every time.
God bless you guys, xoxo.
Let me just say I am so completely blessed. No, seriously. I was so young and I never knew how much I loved this kid. If someone would had told the seventh grade me that years later I would be driving home fighting tears because of the overwhelming feeling of being blessed and happy I would probably had laughed you off the face of the earth. It's been over two years and this man has never hurt me. Now most people are like "Ashley guys should not hurt you." to that I say that being hurt by a "man" was my norm. It was a daily occurrence and it is so mind blowing that this man has not done so in the more than two years he has been back in my life.
In addition I would like to say that I remember all the tiny things much more than the dates or whatever. I cannot imagine my life without knowing the feeling of his hand around mine driving home from Whitewright. Or the way his arms feel wrapped around me as I fall asleep next to him. The look he gives me at the most ridiculous times, like he isn't looking at me but at my heart. I literally could not imagine him in my life, it is nuts.
So, like all of my ranty posts, this has a point. Do not ever regret your past. Did I spend far too long being someone's punching bag? Well maybe. But it led me to the place I am today and I could not be any happier. Enjoy the ride guys, things will work out. Happiness finds those who are willing to embrace it. Blessings come in the most unlikely forms, just be still and let it happen. I pray all of you find someone who you can spend hours wrapped up in your thoughts thinking about. I remember praying for this man while I was in the midst of my crummy relationship. It was a simple prayer every time; Lord please keep him safe. I swear it had no motives behind it other than I felt like praying for him. How nuts is that? I think about that often and it blows my little mind every time.
God bless you guys, xoxo.
#blogtober day fourteen
Oh this day. First off I hope you beautiful creatures are killing it out there! Be proud of yourselves, seriously. So today is my funniest childhood memory. This needs a warning. I say a dirty word. I definitely did not know, I don't think.
So we were at a rodeo with my whole family. It was one of the few times I remember having my paw, aunt, uncle, maybe my real mother, my cousins Devin and Cindy, and my great uncle and aunt all in the same place. Anywho my cousin Devin had not made his grand appearance, and let me tell you for some reason he was my favorite human. Which is quiet sad because I have not seen my cousins or great aunt and uncle in so many years. Anywho, so he appears right. And out of my little, very young, mouth I shout, and I do mean shout, "There you are Devin you big pussy!" Now my mom tells this story so well, I laugh so much. Sometimes I am like oh mom remember that time, just so she will tell it. I was a hoot, apparently, I remember very little of it. But the stories are beautiful.
What brilliant memories do you have? I would love a laugh. Have a gorgeous day.
-xoxo
So we were at a rodeo with my whole family. It was one of the few times I remember having my paw, aunt, uncle, maybe my real mother, my cousins Devin and Cindy, and my great uncle and aunt all in the same place. Anywho my cousin Devin had not made his grand appearance, and let me tell you for some reason he was my favorite human. Which is quiet sad because I have not seen my cousins or great aunt and uncle in so many years. Anywho, so he appears right. And out of my little, very young, mouth I shout, and I do mean shout, "There you are Devin you big pussy!" Now my mom tells this story so well, I laugh so much. Sometimes I am like oh mom remember that time, just so she will tell it. I was a hoot, apparently, I remember very little of it. But the stories are beautiful.
What brilliant memories do you have? I would love a laugh. Have a gorgeous day.
-xoxo
Nostalgia and Winter
My original post disappeared which is monumentally sad because it was such a heart felt piece full of so much happiness. Welp, here is a piece that was salvaged.
As I drove home from work the smoke from smoldering fire places danced across the streets. My mind was completely in a fog, stuck in that one moment when the smells charged through my tiny cracked window and took me to a street in Ireland. One were small houses blot the roadside and one could dare to walk in the chilly wind to a bakery on the corner where one could order coffee and scones.
-xoxo
As I drove home from work the smoke from smoldering fire places danced across the streets. My mind was completely in a fog, stuck in that one moment when the smells charged through my tiny cracked window and took me to a street in Ireland. One were small houses blot the roadside and one could dare to walk in the chilly wind to a bakery on the corner where one could order coffee and scones.
-xoxo
#blogtober day thirteen
Favorite fall recipe! I am going to do a shakeology recipe for all my fellow shakeology lovers! Who know I may revisit this post and add some other recipes. Maybe my fudge, my homemade apple pie, or my moms chili. Oh my who knows! I love fall cooking.
Pumpkin Pie Shakeo
1 cup skim (nonfat) milk
I use rice milk because dairy is not my friend
½ cup of unsweetened canned pumpkin
½ tsp. cinnomon
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 scoop of chocolate shakeology
I use vegan chocolate because the regular has dairy products plus the vegan is so smooth!
I use rice milk because dairy is not my friend
½ cup of unsweetened canned pumpkin
½ tsp. cinnomon
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 scoop of chocolate shakeology
I use vegan chocolate because the regular has dairy products plus the vegan is so smooth!
Turning twenty-one, because everyone loves this age
I am the baby of everyone so I still have a few months before the big two one but my little sister just turned twenty-one and she had a blast. We went to a Luke Bryan concert, stayed in a castle like hotel, and went to main event. Yes, she does remember both days of fun. But yes, she did have fun.
The next one to turn the big one is my lovely, prince of a man. I can say that because I know he does not read these, he just likes my Instagram pictures without really reading those too. Like most of us, he is terrified of growing up. Do not tell him but, I love watching him grow up. He thinks he is doing it wrong half the time but to be honest the world needs more men like him. Someone needs to buy Darlene a drink because she was the best single parent I have ever met.
So a side note, I was super worried about his birthday present. On a whim I decided to buy him tickets to a concert. The thing was I did not know to whom. So after hours of research and consulting a friend I chose a concert on Halloween to see Slipknot and Korn. No, I will not be going. Y'all knew better then that. I want him to have fun, not babysit his awkward girlfriend. He was like a small child so I suppose he really liked it. I am not going to lie, seeing him happy is the most satisfying thing in the whole world. I do not know what it is but seeing him excited and smiling is the best. Not to mention those super happy kisses are the sweetest.
Anywho back to turning twenty-one. At this point we are all probably, or should, know what is up with our lives. Some of us are still drunk in bars, some are responsible working folk who are terrified of moving out and settling down no matter how many times we say that is what we want to do, then there is the folk like me who are scared but seriously just want to graduate, start our jobs, get married, and settle down, like now because we are so over this stuff. No matter where you are I just want you to know that you are not alone, I have a friend in the first category, a sweet prince in the second, and I am hanging out in the third like a champ. So take a breath, you are not alone. Just take it day by day and worry about the moment, not tomorrow or next week. I am chuckling, I am such a pot calling the kettle black. I vow to read this when I start to have a panic attack about the next thousand years and forget to live.
So cheers to all you lovely humans living the life and a big cheers to those turning twenty-one. Be safe.
-xoxo
The next one to turn the big one is my lovely, prince of a man. I can say that because I know he does not read these, he just likes my Instagram pictures without really reading those too. Like most of us, he is terrified of growing up. Do not tell him but, I love watching him grow up. He thinks he is doing it wrong half the time but to be honest the world needs more men like him. Someone needs to buy Darlene a drink because she was the best single parent I have ever met.
So a side note, I was super worried about his birthday present. On a whim I decided to buy him tickets to a concert. The thing was I did not know to whom. So after hours of research and consulting a friend I chose a concert on Halloween to see Slipknot and Korn. No, I will not be going. Y'all knew better then that. I want him to have fun, not babysit his awkward girlfriend. He was like a small child so I suppose he really liked it. I am not going to lie, seeing him happy is the most satisfying thing in the whole world. I do not know what it is but seeing him excited and smiling is the best. Not to mention those super happy kisses are the sweetest.
Anywho back to turning twenty-one. At this point we are all probably, or should, know what is up with our lives. Some of us are still drunk in bars, some are responsible working folk who are terrified of moving out and settling down no matter how many times we say that is what we want to do, then there is the folk like me who are scared but seriously just want to graduate, start our jobs, get married, and settle down, like now because we are so over this stuff. No matter where you are I just want you to know that you are not alone, I have a friend in the first category, a sweet prince in the second, and I am hanging out in the third like a champ. So take a breath, you are not alone. Just take it day by day and worry about the moment, not tomorrow or next week. I am chuckling, I am such a pot calling the kettle black. I vow to read this when I start to have a panic attack about the next thousand years and forget to live.
So cheers to all you lovely humans living the life and a big cheers to those turning twenty-one. Be safe.
-xoxo
#blogtober day twelve
Oh this is perfection. Today is the best advice I have ever been given. Let me tell you I had a professor my senior year in high school, because I was in college before I graduated high school, that was so wise. Still to this day I am grateful to her existence.
So here is the background story, I was a senior in high school, a sophomore in college, and rather depressed that everyone expected me to turn out like my real mother. Whom at the time dabbled in drugs and alcohol and was not remotely successful. I will say that currently, from what I hear, she has changed that. Which I am grateful for. She is still not in my life because I seriously have too much on my plate to even give anyone the chance to bring me down. Any ways, I had written a poem for the class that depicted my feelings about people believing I would become my mother and how I fight daily to prove them wrong. She graded the paper and she also told me "Ashley, sometimes the apple does not fall far from the tree. But every now and then the wind is blowing and the tree is on top of a hill. In those times the apple can end up very far from the tree. You can be that apple." I cried. First off when an educator gives a darn it is a special thing. Especially for high school children. Second off, no one had said I could do it. Let alone give me a quote for the rest of my life.
What is the best quote in your life? I have several pages in my journal dedicated to brilliant quotes and I would love to add yours. Enjoy this day sweet hearts.
-xoxo
So here is the background story, I was a senior in high school, a sophomore in college, and rather depressed that everyone expected me to turn out like my real mother. Whom at the time dabbled in drugs and alcohol and was not remotely successful. I will say that currently, from what I hear, she has changed that. Which I am grateful for. She is still not in my life because I seriously have too much on my plate to even give anyone the chance to bring me down. Any ways, I had written a poem for the class that depicted my feelings about people believing I would become my mother and how I fight daily to prove them wrong. She graded the paper and she also told me "Ashley, sometimes the apple does not fall far from the tree. But every now and then the wind is blowing and the tree is on top of a hill. In those times the apple can end up very far from the tree. You can be that apple." I cried. First off when an educator gives a darn it is a special thing. Especially for high school children. Second off, no one had said I could do it. Let alone give me a quote for the rest of my life.
What is the best quote in your life? I have several pages in my journal dedicated to brilliant quotes and I would love to add yours. Enjoy this day sweet hearts.
-xoxo
Motivational Monday; Realizing you are not who you once were.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and it just hit you "I look different". It's like a ton of bricks having a dance parade in your head. This was me this morning. I weighed in so close to 70lbs down it isn't funny. I looked in the mirror and remembered my old body. My breasts rested atop my tummy and my body did not have one single straight line. Now looking at my body my breast stand alone, my sides are curved but straight lines. By this I mean no love handles. I still have soft curves and plenty of extra to loose but holy cow I'm different.
I'm sharing all of this raw truth to let you know, it doesn't matter if you've had this moment or not, you will or will again. If this is the beginning of your journey to health and love then get ready it's an emotional roller coaster that is as beautiful as the Ireland hills in fall. If you've had one of these moment don't fret my sweet it happens so many times as you progress.
Cheers my sweets, who's got a killer workout on the books?
-xoxo
#blogtober day eleven
I do apologize, I have skipped some days. Oops. Today is "What would I do if I was president"?
Call me passive aggressive but, I would not be. Nope. Not me. Please. I will continue to pray for the president and be thankful we have a president and not a dictator. Other than that count me out.
Would you take the job? What would you do? Let me know guys.
-xoxo
Call me passive aggressive but, I would not be. Nope. Not me. Please. I will continue to pray for the president and be thankful we have a president and not a dictator. Other than that count me out.
Would you take the job? What would you do? Let me know guys.
-xoxo
It is October tenth and last night there was a beautiful storm blow in on the wings of a cold front. What a blessing, hello winter!
#blogtober day ten
I do apologize for skipping a day. Oops. Today is "I never thought blogging would ____" That for me is I never thought blogging would bring me so much joy as a twenty year old. I started blogging when I was thirteen. At the time I loved to write but not like I do today. Today I love it so much more. It is like therapy for my soul. Blogging has given me the opportunity to connect with so many beautiful people while sharing my life.
There is nothing better than a nice long hot bubble bath, followed by fall candles, a nice movie, and cuddling down in bed to blog after a long day. I have been truly blessed to have this blog and all of those that write into me. I love interacting with y'all. You will never fully know.
My loves I hope you have something you love, something that unwinds you, and I hope you indulge in it. I also hope if you are in a relationship that the person supports you and lets you do those things freely. I made a post on here about my sweet man never reading this. A few days later, in a normal conversation, he mentioned reading my blogs. I was like, oh snap. My ex hated this blog. I had this gut wrenching feeling he would be upset about it, so I apologized. He corrected me without hesitation and said he loves my blog and that the content does not matter as long as I am happy. I thank God daily for this man but I feel as if I could thank Him every second of everyday and it would not match the blessing He has given me.
My point is, find something that unwinds you, love it, indulge in it, and find someone who supports you in it. Enjoy your life you beautiful creatures.
-xoxo
There is nothing better than a nice long hot bubble bath, followed by fall candles, a nice movie, and cuddling down in bed to blog after a long day. I have been truly blessed to have this blog and all of those that write into me. I love interacting with y'all. You will never fully know.
My loves I hope you have something you love, something that unwinds you, and I hope you indulge in it. I also hope if you are in a relationship that the person supports you and lets you do those things freely. I made a post on here about my sweet man never reading this. A few days later, in a normal conversation, he mentioned reading my blogs. I was like, oh snap. My ex hated this blog. I had this gut wrenching feeling he would be upset about it, so I apologized. He corrected me without hesitation and said he loves my blog and that the content does not matter as long as I am happy. I thank God daily for this man but I feel as if I could thank Him every second of everyday and it would not match the blessing He has given me.
My point is, find something that unwinds you, love it, indulge in it, and find someone who supports you in it. Enjoy your life you beautiful creatures.
-xoxo
psa; I want a man who will make my coffee like my paw makes my nanas. He does it like his life depends on it, straight out to the little scoops of sugar. He is like a coffee artist for his wife. She never makes her own coffee. No because she is lazy but because coffee makes her happy and he lives for her. It is beautiful. My paw is such a king. I love you papa, with every fiber in me, you are my hero.
#blogtober day eight
Oh this topic may get sappy, a letter to myself in ten years.
Ashley,
I hope you are doing well. By well I mean achieving all those goals you had as a twenty year old young women. If you do not have wine, bubble bath, candles, and comfy pajamas, go get some. I am not kidding. Stop reading and go to the store. But if I know you well enough the bed is made, but pulled back, candles are burning, you have a wine cabinet and a stock of bubble bath and bath salt to last until you die.
I suppose I should introduce myself, how rude of me. I am the twenty year old you. I am a full time manager at Walmart, overnights,.I leave work every morning as the sun rises and I breath in the cool autumn air and praying for strength to make it to graduation. I am also a full time student, well over full time but who is counting. I do the best I can for my grades. I do apologize that you probably will not have a 4.0 in college, but please know that I am trying my absolute best to juggle working enough to pay for college and keeping my grades decent.
Honestly that is all there is to the twenty year old you. Oh, I was just kidding. You are also slightly in love with a young man that the six year old you also knew. He has the most gentle heart and supports you in literally everything you do. It is quite possibly the most daring thing you have done- loving him that is. You see the fourteen year old you was not the ripest apple in the bunch and dedicated the most of five year to a man who abused you. Do not fret honey, the pain is gone. Mostly because you grew some gumption and let yourself love someone fully. I hope he is still around, I am quite fond of him. You also love the Lord, please tell me you have not forgotten how He carried you all those years? He has loved you more than anyone every has Ashley, do not ever let Him go.
You are also with your aunt and uncle- well your parents. Is the adoption final yet? I hope so, if not I hope there is a painless reason why it is not. Oh and are you married? You were supposed to be by now, at least that is what I think. Let me lay this out for you; you are supposed to be married, teaching school in a small school, and you should be in a house- read double wide trailer- by now. Are you?
Gosh please tell me you are at least pregnant, better would be a whittle boy but I'll settle with you on the way to having him. Or her, you just really want a boy, or I do if we are being technical. Did you decorate his room with little ships? You want to right now, you want a little sailor. Did you know you are thirty? Like really. I am not saying you are old but you have made it! I hope as a thirty year old you still love to lay on the sand at the beach. Remember you have always been a mermaid at heart, literally since you were just a little princess.
Speaking of princesses, seriously is it a boy or a girl? He wants a girl, he never gets what he wants. Who am I fooling, he always wins when I bet with him or play him in most things. Except board games. Or do you have both? Compromise is always good. Did you name him Liam? Did you name her Elliot? You have always wanted a whittle girl named Elliot so you can all her Ellie. Do they still have two middle names? Dale and something to honor his family?
You know I think it is strange that at twenty I have thought about all this. But I suppose when I think about it the past three years have flown by, ten should be really quick.
Well thirty year old you, if you haven't yet, go pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy a bubble bath. Two cups of salt, one cap of bubbles, just like you like it. Enjoy the moment because the twenty year old fought for you everyday. No matter where you are in life please know I am proud of you. I prayed for you daily, I prayed for you children, your husband, and your family. Enjoy life honey because I truly love you. Every inch of you is perfect because you are fearfully and wonderfully made Ashley Dale.
-xoxo
Ashley,
I hope you are doing well. By well I mean achieving all those goals you had as a twenty year old young women. If you do not have wine, bubble bath, candles, and comfy pajamas, go get some. I am not kidding. Stop reading and go to the store. But if I know you well enough the bed is made, but pulled back, candles are burning, you have a wine cabinet and a stock of bubble bath and bath salt to last until you die.
I suppose I should introduce myself, how rude of me. I am the twenty year old you. I am a full time manager at Walmart, overnights,.I leave work every morning as the sun rises and I breath in the cool autumn air and praying for strength to make it to graduation. I am also a full time student, well over full time but who is counting. I do the best I can for my grades. I do apologize that you probably will not have a 4.0 in college, but please know that I am trying my absolute best to juggle working enough to pay for college and keeping my grades decent.
Honestly that is all there is to the twenty year old you. Oh, I was just kidding. You are also slightly in love with a young man that the six year old you also knew. He has the most gentle heart and supports you in literally everything you do. It is quite possibly the most daring thing you have done- loving him that is. You see the fourteen year old you was not the ripest apple in the bunch and dedicated the most of five year to a man who abused you. Do not fret honey, the pain is gone. Mostly because you grew some gumption and let yourself love someone fully. I hope he is still around, I am quite fond of him. You also love the Lord, please tell me you have not forgotten how He carried you all those years? He has loved you more than anyone every has Ashley, do not ever let Him go.
You are also with your aunt and uncle- well your parents. Is the adoption final yet? I hope so, if not I hope there is a painless reason why it is not. Oh and are you married? You were supposed to be by now, at least that is what I think. Let me lay this out for you; you are supposed to be married, teaching school in a small school, and you should be in a house- read double wide trailer- by now. Are you?
Gosh please tell me you are at least pregnant, better would be a whittle boy but I'll settle with you on the way to having him. Or her, you just really want a boy, or I do if we are being technical. Did you decorate his room with little ships? You want to right now, you want a little sailor. Did you know you are thirty? Like really. I am not saying you are old but you have made it! I hope as a thirty year old you still love to lay on the sand at the beach. Remember you have always been a mermaid at heart, literally since you were just a little princess.
Speaking of princesses, seriously is it a boy or a girl? He wants a girl, he never gets what he wants. Who am I fooling, he always wins when I bet with him or play him in most things. Except board games. Or do you have both? Compromise is always good. Did you name him Liam? Did you name her Elliot? You have always wanted a whittle girl named Elliot so you can all her Ellie. Do they still have two middle names? Dale and something to honor his family?
You know I think it is strange that at twenty I have thought about all this. But I suppose when I think about it the past three years have flown by, ten should be really quick.
Well thirty year old you, if you haven't yet, go pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy a bubble bath. Two cups of salt, one cap of bubbles, just like you like it. Enjoy the moment because the twenty year old fought for you everyday. No matter where you are in life please know I am proud of you. I prayed for you daily, I prayed for you children, your husband, and your family. Enjoy life honey because I truly love you. Every inch of you is perfect because you are fearfully and wonderfully made Ashley Dale.
-xoxo
#blogtober day seven
Day sevens beautiful topic is best/worst vacation. The worst is easy, we went to West Texas when I was younger to visit my meemaw and about an hour into the trip I broke out and hives, a fever, sick tummy. This did not stop until day two of the trip so I was miserable. So the best was hands down my trip to Broken Bow this past year. The following is my letter to the place that, currently, has my heart. What is your vacation stories? Could you write a love letter to a place? I would love to hear them.
Dear Broken Bow,
Oh our cabin was oh so lovely, nestled into your beautiful mountains and laid softly above a quiet river. The bed was so soft and fluffy laid in a room with dark woods, soft grays, and a dark grey blue. There were books everywhere and the boom box had Celtic music playing softly as we walked into the cabin. You know me so well don't you? The kitchen was beautiful rock and wood, I could had cooked there for days. Both rooms had bathrooms, our with a walk in rock shower and a large Jacuzzi tub. Did I mention both rooms had a sliding glass door that walked out onto the beautiful wood wrap around porch that had a hot tub that hung above the side of the mountain. You could literally see the river from your warm bubbly perch. I woke up everyday at my ideal time, six am, to watch the sun rise over the hills. Well technically. The Lord brought us a large storm nightly while we stayed in your grace. He know I sleep my best with a bit of thunder, wind, heavy rain, and lightning.
So the first morning I woke up to a rushing river that you could hear from the bed nearly, and a grey sky that was brightened by the invisible sun. It was breath taking. We spent our days on the patio when it wasn't sprinkling. We drank, ate, and laid about in the hot tub. Then when the rain would come to say hello again we would head to the living room and play cards, board games, dance and sing to the radio, talk merrily, or head to the nooks of our bed and take a little mid-day nap.
Broken Bow, words cannot describe the blessing I felt in our little Woodhaven cabin. I felt so at peace, my phone did not work, the weather was glorious, and the views were a blessing in their own. I pray I can see you often in my years to come, if I do not my heart would be truly aching to see you. This would be the perfect place to start a tradition with my family someday. Beginning with my honeymoon because I seriously can see that going over amazingly. Did I mention my phone did not work? Ever. It was glorious.
I hope to see you soon dear friend.
-xoxo
Dear Broken Bow,
Oh our cabin was oh so lovely, nestled into your beautiful mountains and laid softly above a quiet river. The bed was so soft and fluffy laid in a room with dark woods, soft grays, and a dark grey blue. There were books everywhere and the boom box had Celtic music playing softly as we walked into the cabin. You know me so well don't you? The kitchen was beautiful rock and wood, I could had cooked there for days. Both rooms had bathrooms, our with a walk in rock shower and a large Jacuzzi tub. Did I mention both rooms had a sliding glass door that walked out onto the beautiful wood wrap around porch that had a hot tub that hung above the side of the mountain. You could literally see the river from your warm bubbly perch. I woke up everyday at my ideal time, six am, to watch the sun rise over the hills. Well technically. The Lord brought us a large storm nightly while we stayed in your grace. He know I sleep my best with a bit of thunder, wind, heavy rain, and lightning.
So the first morning I woke up to a rushing river that you could hear from the bed nearly, and a grey sky that was brightened by the invisible sun. It was breath taking. We spent our days on the patio when it wasn't sprinkling. We drank, ate, and laid about in the hot tub. Then when the rain would come to say hello again we would head to the living room and play cards, board games, dance and sing to the radio, talk merrily, or head to the nooks of our bed and take a little mid-day nap.
Broken Bow, words cannot describe the blessing I felt in our little Woodhaven cabin. I felt so at peace, my phone did not work, the weather was glorious, and the views were a blessing in their own. I pray I can see you often in my years to come, if I do not my heart would be truly aching to see you. This would be the perfect place to start a tradition with my family someday. Beginning with my honeymoon because I seriously can see that going over amazingly. Did I mention my phone did not work? Ever. It was glorious.
I hope to see you soon dear friend.
-xoxo
My sweet, sweet angels
There is a whole list of people who have joined heaven since July 18th of this year. Among them is the most outstanding young man I have ever had the opportunity of meeting, Bobby Colton Perkins. A sweet young man who had a heart of gold in high school, Johnny Powell. The two young men who went home with you, Paul and Steven. Paul, I never knew you but I am sure you were quite a darling much like Johnny and Steven. Sade Lowery, your light was shining bright even in little ole eighth grade. Mr. Daugherty, you raised a a beautiful God loving family. You were a man among the best. I only met you a few times but I had the blessing of spending time with your daughter in school and anyone who can raise children who love The Lord like yours do are saints. The four sweet princesses from North Central Texas College, let me just say once a lion always a lion. I could go on, but its six in the morning and I woke up at four dreaming about car crashes again.
Loosing Colton was hard, I spent days in my bed not sleeping and just crying, but then the names just started piling up- all vehicular incidents in some form or fashion, mostly freak ones that no one could had ever controlled. I take that back every single one of them were. I really do not care who gets up in arms about me saying that. But to be honest I have not really slept in days. I work all night, come home, and lay in bed until I fall asleep, then wake up ever hourish because the dreams of car crashed and memories of their precious faces won't stop.
My point is I miss y'all. I hope heaven is beyond amazing- I know it has to be. Grams, I hope you showed them the ropes. Give them all a hug for me. I miss you too Grams, I figure that one does not have to be said but I suppose I will say it.
Loosing Colton was hard, I spent days in my bed not sleeping and just crying, but then the names just started piling up- all vehicular incidents in some form or fashion, mostly freak ones that no one could had ever controlled. I take that back every single one of them were. I really do not care who gets up in arms about me saying that. But to be honest I have not really slept in days. I work all night, come home, and lay in bed until I fall asleep, then wake up ever hourish because the dreams of car crashed and memories of their precious faces won't stop.
My point is I miss y'all. I hope heaven is beyond amazing- I know it has to be. Grams, I hope you showed them the ropes. Give them all a hug for me. I miss you too Grams, I figure that one does not have to be said but I suppose I will say it.
#blogtober day five
The prompt today is a very lovely one; my fall bucket list. Let me just say that I love fall! So here it does, my fall bucket list.
have at least one huge bonfire, now I mean huge fire, the people I adore, beer, hoodies, and smores.
drink lots of apple cider once the weather turns cold, because really who doesn't love apple cider.
take the time to spike that cider and really settle in and enjoy it.
make more time for my parents, because they seriously never see me.
spend less time stressing, I mean seriously the sun stays away and that is pretty saddening plus regular stress gets amplified and sometimes you just need to breathe. burn plenty of fall candles, because there is nothing nicer then burning pumpkin candles.
going to bath and body works multiple times because it smells so good.
get starbucks once a month, because that is just as many times as I can justify five dollar coffee lol.
find a great brand of pumpkin coffee for home, if you know of any help a girl out.
cuddle down with my darling prince and watch movies.
get a puppy, this will never happen but I can dream, right?
pass all these awful classes this semester.
I suppose I can keep adding to this right? Until later you queens and kings.
-xoxo
have at least one huge bonfire, now I mean huge fire, the people I adore, beer, hoodies, and smores.
drink lots of apple cider once the weather turns cold, because really who doesn't love apple cider.
take the time to spike that cider and really settle in and enjoy it.
make more time for my parents, because they seriously never see me.
spend less time stressing, I mean seriously the sun stays away and that is pretty saddening plus regular stress gets amplified and sometimes you just need to breathe. burn plenty of fall candles, because there is nothing nicer then burning pumpkin candles.
going to bath and body works multiple times because it smells so good.
get starbucks once a month, because that is just as many times as I can justify five dollar coffee lol.
find a great brand of pumpkin coffee for home, if you know of any help a girl out.
cuddle down with my darling prince and watch movies.
get a puppy, this will never happen but I can dream, right?
pass all these awful classes this semester.
I suppose I can keep adding to this right? Until later you queens and kings.
-xoxo
#blogtober day four
Day three is my favorite picture that I have posted to Instagram, like who can pick one out of like 900 plus?! So I picked two that I have posted recently. The first one is just some silly one I posted, the second is one of me since I lost seventy pounds. Both are pictures I like but it was so hard not to pick the one from the gym covered in sweat. Anywho here they are. Have a spectacular day lovelies.
-xoxo
-xoxo
The truth about graduation...
Well guys, it is almost here. I have just eight months before the juggle between student teaching and my basic job starts. You see I did not always want to teach young kiddos. If we are being honest I wanted to teach junior and senior English or math. But due to a twisted string of events I found myself in the kindergarten classroom. IT was a blessing really, I mean could you see little ole'' twenty-one year old me teaching some seventeen and eighteen year old young men and women, demanding respect? Yeah, me either. It is okay if you laughed, I chuckled too.
But in all seriousness everyone is like woohoo and I am having a Chernobyl type melt down over here. My parents don't seem to think it is such a big deal and everyone else is like la-la-graduation. Needless to say I am a worry-wart, like the dime of all worry-warts. It just scares me, failure and such. Not to mention when student teaching starts, which I simply cannot wait for, I will work teaching 8am-4pm and my basic management job 10pm-7am. That was not a joke. That will just have to be felt out I suppose.
So here is how I sum it up; Ashley needs to pay off all the bills in the next couple months and save every dime possible until graduation because work may only be making enough to pay for gas. Did I mention I need to buy a car? Yeah that is on the top of my list too. I really love the one I drive, so fingers crossed and knees bent that I can just purchase the silver bullet -thank you baby for that name- and call it game over.
All of that aside I think I just wanted to vent. As always I love y'all. Thank you for listening.
-xoxo
But in all seriousness everyone is like woohoo and I am having a Chernobyl type melt down over here. My parents don't seem to think it is such a big deal and everyone else is like la-la-graduation. Needless to say I am a worry-wart, like the dime of all worry-warts. It just scares me, failure and such. Not to mention when student teaching starts, which I simply cannot wait for, I will work teaching 8am-4pm and my basic management job 10pm-7am. That was not a joke. That will just have to be felt out I suppose.
So here is how I sum it up; Ashley needs to pay off all the bills in the next couple months and save every dime possible until graduation because work may only be making enough to pay for gas. Did I mention I need to buy a car? Yeah that is on the top of my list too. I really love the one I drive, so fingers crossed and knees bent that I can just purchase the silver bullet -thank you baby for that name- and call it game over.
All of that aside I think I just wanted to vent. As always I love y'all. Thank you for listening.
-xoxo
#blogtober day three
Day three is one thing that I cannot live without. This for me is, love. First and foremost without the love of my precious Lord I would be in the utmost tragic of situations. Secondly I have felt a lot of feelings, none quiet measure up to the feeling someone can give you when they truly love you. Even when my day has been wretched and I have barely smiled all day when he is around none of that matters. It is like a cleansing breathe of honesty and love. The final point I will make is that you can love people, every person. I find that if you allow yourself to fall in love with people the world is a much easier place. Now this love is not the same as the love I spoke about previously, it is a fondness and understanding for those around you. I challenge you to allow yourself to love freely. Only then can you truly know what love can do to your life.
-xoxo
-xoxo
Stress, emotions, and other ridiculous things that need to move away.
I know I cannot be the only twenty year old lady, or person in general, who is struggling. Anyone in the audience stressed out about bills and tuition? Good gravy on a Sunday morning, like really? This tuition thing is for the birds. Building credit, paying bills, paying tuition, and gas plus a thousand other things is a pain. My favorite question in the world is when my dad asks me how much money I have. None daddy, none. Sometimes I do this super cute thing where I make myself sick because I decided to stress about everything under the sun. Anyone else? Yeah I thought so.
Anywho I just wanted to throw that out there, I hope your not too down and if you are get some coffee and watch a movie.
-xoxo
Anywho I just wanted to throw that out there, I hope your not too down and if you are get some coffee and watch a movie.
-xoxo
#blogtober day two
Oh day two how interesting you shall be. The topic is what did you want to be when you were growing up/ what are you now.
I was a little rebel as a child, I started by wanted to be a bull rider. Quit laughing. You see my paw bought me a big giant bouncy ball that had a handle. He made this purchase so that I would be better able to live out my dream. You see we had these two recliners side by side that we used as the "shoots". while the nightly riders rode I would place my ball between the two recliners, my paw would put his arm out like the gate, and when the buzzer sounded I Would bounce the ball out and ride it until the 8 second mark.
After that I went through a fire fighter stage, a surgeon, an investigator, then a teacher. Which is what I currently am working on. At this point I am a senior in college and aching, literally sometimes it hurts, to be in the classroom. So there it is ladies and gentlemen from bull rider to teacher. What did you want to be? What are you now? I would love to hear from you guys.
-xoxo
I was a little rebel as a child, I started by wanted to be a bull rider. Quit laughing. You see my paw bought me a big giant bouncy ball that had a handle. He made this purchase so that I would be better able to live out my dream. You see we had these two recliners side by side that we used as the "shoots". while the nightly riders rode I would place my ball between the two recliners, my paw would put his arm out like the gate, and when the buzzer sounded I Would bounce the ball out and ride it until the 8 second mark.
After that I went through a fire fighter stage, a surgeon, an investigator, then a teacher. Which is what I currently am working on. At this point I am a senior in college and aching, literally sometimes it hurts, to be in the classroom. So there it is ladies and gentlemen from bull rider to teacher. What did you want to be? What are you now? I would love to hear from you guys.
-xoxo
Motivational Monday's; The "extra" baggage claim
So I'm about to admit something that is close to my heart, literally. So here's what most everyone knows;
I'm on a weight loss / health journey.
I've dropped 60 plus lbs in the last seven months.
I'm not dieting, I'm changing my life.
I have bad days, just more good than bad.
With all that said there are a few things I haven't discussed and one of them is the "extra baggage" that has appeared. By baggage I mean the extra skin that isn't tone and is, not baggy baggy but, loose that is around my arm. Particularly the adjacent to the arm pit area.
I didn't really notice it until the last month or so. Now I obsess over it- constantly. So what does this mean? That I'll give up and quit loosing weight because at least I won't be sagging? No. That I'll cry myself to sleep worried about it? Naw, hater gonna hate. It means that I'll lift more. I'll dedicate time to toning and bulking that area in order to tighten that skin.
"But Ashley so-and-so said you have to have surgery to have that removed." Okay extreme cases, maybe. But that's not exactly true.
Here's what I want you to do; if you have some "extra baggage" you need to "claim" fix it. Do some research- don't use dumb sources. Talk to some trainers and coaches- be honest about what you want, we aren't mind readers. Find what moves to do and how to lift to target that area. Then pump the crap out of some iron!
You are stronger than you think- believe that!
I'm on a weight loss / health journey.
I've dropped 60 plus lbs in the last seven months.
I'm not dieting, I'm changing my life.
I have bad days, just more good than bad.
With all that said there are a few things I haven't discussed and one of them is the "extra baggage" that has appeared. By baggage I mean the extra skin that isn't tone and is, not baggy baggy but, loose that is around my arm. Particularly the adjacent to the arm pit area.
I didn't really notice it until the last month or so. Now I obsess over it- constantly. So what does this mean? That I'll give up and quit loosing weight because at least I won't be sagging? No. That I'll cry myself to sleep worried about it? Naw, hater gonna hate. It means that I'll lift more. I'll dedicate time to toning and bulking that area in order to tighten that skin.
"But Ashley so-and-so said you have to have surgery to have that removed." Okay extreme cases, maybe. But that's not exactly true.
Here's what I want you to do; if you have some "extra baggage" you need to "claim" fix it. Do some research- don't use dumb sources. Talk to some trainers and coaches- be honest about what you want, we aren't mind readers. Find what moves to do and how to lift to target that area. Then pump the crap out of some iron!
You are stronger than you think- believe that!
#blogtober day one
If I wont he lottery. First off, what a fun prompt right? I have said this for as long as I can remember; winning the lottery would make me feel sick inside. There is no way I need, nor want that much money. Seriously my double wide trailer house on four acres of land is my life and I love it that way. Big houses make me nervous, big things make me nervous. So what would I do then? You see Ashley would put a little away to be able to send my children to college easily then I would invest the rest in making a women's shelter. Truly this is a huge thing in my heart. Women are abused everyday and most do not have the means to escape the situations there forth a women's shelter would be ideal. I would buy n old huge house, hire some local women as well paid maids, cooks, and other house hold positions. It would be a free place for women who are abused to go and escape their abusers. And that is what I would do if I won the lottery. What would you do? To all my other bloggers who show love on here, join #blogtober! Have a good day honeys.
-xoxo
-xoxo
Let #blogtober begin
What is Love?
August 8, 2014
That is a pretty loaded question I suppose. But The Bible does lay down a pretty basic explanation and some huge key points.
--->What is love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-8New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
-->Who do we love?
->Our neighbors...
Matthew 19:19New International Version (NIV)
19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’
->Everyone...
1 Thessalonians 5:14New International Version (NIV)
14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
->Ones who are lacking love...
Hosea 2:23New International Version (NIV)
23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people';
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
-->What kind of love do we give?
1 Kings 8:23New International Version (NIV)
23 and said:
“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.
-->What is the biggest downfall in love? Our tongues.
->Bridle it.
James 1:26New International Version (NIV)
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless
->Build people up.
Ephesians 4:29New International Version (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
->A prayer to shut your mouth.
Psalm 141:3New International Version (NIV)
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips
->Or else it will break the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4New International Version (NIV)
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
--->What is love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-8New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
-->Who do we love?
->Our neighbors...
Matthew 19:19New International Version (NIV)
19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’
->Everyone...
1 Thessalonians 5:14New International Version (NIV)
14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
->Ones who are lacking love...
Hosea 2:23New International Version (NIV)
23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people';
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
-->What kind of love do we give?
1 Kings 8:23New International Version (NIV)
23 and said:
“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.
-->What is the biggest downfall in love? Our tongues.
->Bridle it.
James 1:26New International Version (NIV)
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless
->Build people up.
Ephesians 4:29New International Version (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
->A prayer to shut your mouth.
Psalm 141:3New International Version (NIV)
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips
->Or else it will break the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4New International Version (NIV)
4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
I do this a lot...
August 8, 2014
When I decided to stop lying to myself about being a dedicated blogger I can assure you guys will be the first to know. I am seriously the worst. Aside from that I have finished my summer classes! It was nothing short of a miracle, let me just tell you. You see I lost a dear friend in a car accident early one morning exactly three weeks ago. It was pretty devastating.
But I have to share the complete blessing that young man left with. You see at his services two more young man gave their lives to Christ. I do not know about the rest of the world but I personally have never seen someone get saved at a funeral. He is an amazing young man who lived for Jesus and it showed even after he went home. Rest in peace sweet angel, there is a huge hole in all of our lives but I know we will see you again on the streets of gold.
On a lighter note I am so close to getting my bachelors which is amazing in its own! I am so excited to graduate it is not funny. Oh and I have lost roughly 50 lbs. It is a strange thing let me tell you. I will post pictures when I post them to other social media. I have also reshaped my life the past few weeks to renew it in Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I have always loved Jesus but lets be honest, I was a tad lost. So that is my journey right now!
I am excited to start this new bit of life. Bring on fall semester :)
But I have to share the complete blessing that young man left with. You see at his services two more young man gave their lives to Christ. I do not know about the rest of the world but I personally have never seen someone get saved at a funeral. He is an amazing young man who lived for Jesus and it showed even after he went home. Rest in peace sweet angel, there is a huge hole in all of our lives but I know we will see you again on the streets of gold.
On a lighter note I am so close to getting my bachelors which is amazing in its own! I am so excited to graduate it is not funny. Oh and I have lost roughly 50 lbs. It is a strange thing let me tell you. I will post pictures when I post them to other social media. I have also reshaped my life the past few weeks to renew it in Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I have always loved Jesus but lets be honest, I was a tad lost. So that is my journey right now!
I am excited to start this new bit of life. Bring on fall semester :)
Merry Christmas
Surely I am not the only one sitting here wondering where in the world this year has gone! No really, I am not even joking. Since Thanksgiving came a week later my whole world was confused, not to mention we had that snowpocalypse that confused everyone. Anyways as we all know I work at a local Walmart as a customer service manager and let me tell you people are pretty difficult at this time of year. I learned that some people, a lot of people, have really forgotten the reason for the season. Many people where very occupied in their person wants and not occupied enough with their spiritual needs. I know that we had the controversy with the whole Phil Robertson thing that occurred and then we had Christmas. I noticed so many arguments over this holiday. One particular argument was over a picture posted on Instagram of Jesus in a birthday hat. Many people where saying that December 25th is not His birthday and that Christians are ignorant and so on. The second biggest argument I noticed here lately has been over the Phil thing. Many Christians are attacking to non-Christian communities with nasty comments of them going to hell or of their ignorance for not following our own religion. I feel as if this is so messed up. You see we are called to show the love of Jesus here on Earth not cram it relentlessly down non-believers throats. You see the more you viciously force it the more their throats will be raw with hatred towards Christians. I tell you I read something gorgeous while I was wading through the garbage being tossed back and forth. One gentleman, a non-believer, stated "Christianity can be a beautiful thing when actually practiced the way it is intended to be." This statement is so perfect. Fellow followers He said the most dangerous sword we have is our mouths and we need to sheath it and put up the armor of God, not our flesh. During these holidays remember no matter what you believe we are all people and loving people is all of our jobs.
It takes an adult to do a job, but it takes the heart of a child to love the job and its coworkers.
It takes an adult to do a job, but it takes the heart of a child to love the job and its coworkers.
This girl now has an associates in teaching!
Last night I was so privileged to be able to walk across the stage and flip my tassel, and let me tell you it was well worth the hassle. I wore a classy but stunning little black dress with nude and black lace heals, walked across that stage after being announced as honors, and ended my graduation with hugs and kisses from my family and my boyfriend. Although it is only my associates and I really can not do anything with it I still received my associates in just a year. While everyone else had been there for two years or more I was so blessed with the ability to attend college while I was still in high school. Now I get to move on to my university.
Although my "perfect" plan has now completely changed I know that God will lead me in my journey. All night last night I kept thinking of times during my education and the many educators that had touched my heart. There are so many people from my kindergarten teacher, to my high school Spanish and history teachers, to my college professors but I will talk about only a few. First my intern teacher from high school Mrs. Pennington, there are so many amazing things that I could say about her but the most important thing is thank you. You showed me how to bring God into a classroom and love everyone with a permanent smile on my face. Next my high school Spanish teacher, Mrs. Daniels, you have such a beautiful heart and it was such a blessing to see you teach. You have a beautiful love for your students that only a real teacher has. Also my high school history teacher, Mrs. Teague, you are such a unique person and you do not care one tad who knows about your love for God and justice. You were the first teacher who actually made me care about history and see that people can take a lot of things, but never your faith. My kindergarten teacher I will never forget, Mrs. Spragg, you have such an amazing attitude about life in general. Looking back I will take many of the things you did into my classroom. My next two are both professors from NCTC and have made such a difference in the person I am today. Dr. Bellows you are the most beautiful woman I can think of inside and out. You could care less what people think yet you still strive to make sure everyone is happy. You teach differently from any other teacher I have ever encountered. I am beyond blessed for this past year with you. Finally Dr. Hobbs, you told me something my senior year in high school that I will never forget. During my hardest finals when I felt defeated and confused you told me
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Unless the wind is blowing and that tree is on top of a hill. The wind is blowing for you and when you get ready to fall you will roll down the hill far from the tree. Then you can finally give that tree a better name. Your past does not define you."
With that being said I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been with my these past twenty years. I love you with every fiber of my being and I pray that God richly blesses you. <3
Although my "perfect" plan has now completely changed I know that God will lead me in my journey. All night last night I kept thinking of times during my education and the many educators that had touched my heart. There are so many people from my kindergarten teacher, to my high school Spanish and history teachers, to my college professors but I will talk about only a few. First my intern teacher from high school Mrs. Pennington, there are so many amazing things that I could say about her but the most important thing is thank you. You showed me how to bring God into a classroom and love everyone with a permanent smile on my face. Next my high school Spanish teacher, Mrs. Daniels, you have such a beautiful heart and it was such a blessing to see you teach. You have a beautiful love for your students that only a real teacher has. Also my high school history teacher, Mrs. Teague, you are such a unique person and you do not care one tad who knows about your love for God and justice. You were the first teacher who actually made me care about history and see that people can take a lot of things, but never your faith. My kindergarten teacher I will never forget, Mrs. Spragg, you have such an amazing attitude about life in general. Looking back I will take many of the things you did into my classroom. My next two are both professors from NCTC and have made such a difference in the person I am today. Dr. Bellows you are the most beautiful woman I can think of inside and out. You could care less what people think yet you still strive to make sure everyone is happy. You teach differently from any other teacher I have ever encountered. I am beyond blessed for this past year with you. Finally Dr. Hobbs, you told me something my senior year in high school that I will never forget. During my hardest finals when I felt defeated and confused you told me
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Unless the wind is blowing and that tree is on top of a hill. The wind is blowing for you and when you get ready to fall you will roll down the hill far from the tree. Then you can finally give that tree a better name. Your past does not define you."
With that being said I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been with my these past twenty years. I love you with every fiber of my being and I pray that God richly blesses you. <3
So Close!
Okay so I can not express to you how absolutely excited I am getting about graduation! It is legit four days away!!! AHHH!!! I am absolutely astonished of the things I have accomplished this past year. I graduated high school and also junior college all in one year. Meanwhile taking at least 12 hours, staying on the deans list, keeping a GPA above 4.7, and also working full time, then receiving a promotion to management in less than a year, and working as a full time manager. I have been so blessed this past year and I am so grateful for the things I have been given the opportunity to endure. My life has changed so much this past year and I would not change one single thing about it. I can not wait to see what absolutely amazing things that God has in store for me at my university!
Also I am super proud of my best friend who moved away and took on a whole new experience on her own. She has learned everyday how to get along by herself and do her very best in college. Just incase you ever read this; Katie Canon you are so smart and beautiful and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Keep on reaching for the stars, there is no limit in what you can accomplish with God!
Finally I am proud of some other people as well. I am so proud of my amazing boyfriend who I have been blessed with watching grow into an amazing man. My parents who went from never having a kid in their whole 60 something years on this earth to having a full blown college kid. You guys grabbed the bull by the horns and I am so blessed that y'all did.
Anyways I am obviously feeling sentimental tonight and I should probably can it. Keep your dreams alive guys, God is so good and if you never give up neither will He.
Sweet dreams <3
Also I am super proud of my best friend who moved away and took on a whole new experience on her own. She has learned everyday how to get along by herself and do her very best in college. Just incase you ever read this; Katie Canon you are so smart and beautiful and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Keep on reaching for the stars, there is no limit in what you can accomplish with God!
Finally I am proud of some other people as well. I am so proud of my amazing boyfriend who I have been blessed with watching grow into an amazing man. My parents who went from never having a kid in their whole 60 something years on this earth to having a full blown college kid. You guys grabbed the bull by the horns and I am so blessed that y'all did.
Anyways I am obviously feeling sentimental tonight and I should probably can it. Keep your dreams alive guys, God is so good and if you never give up neither will He.
Sweet dreams <3
Scariest thing of my life...
December 8, 2013
Well today we got about 32 degrees! Super excited...until I had to drive home at 11pm after work when all the melting had refrozen to lovely black ice. Anywho I was going up this huge hill and I learned something pretty cool;
If you begin to fish tail into a ditch all the emergency lights on my car come on and my speedometer will read 0 even though I am going like 20.
No joke if it was not for Katie being on the phone with my I would had just stayed in the ditch and cried it off. I got home and was like dang all I wanna do is hug the people I love. Naturally some of those people were not here for me to hug but I settled for hugging my mom and whinnying to my boyfriend about how scared I was.
On a brighter not I did feel better today. I have a whole lot less congestion but my ears were like popped all day. It has felt so weird, like I am underwater. Welp, I have work again tomorrow so I must grab some sleep. I hope everyone had a beautiful day <3
If you begin to fish tail into a ditch all the emergency lights on my car come on and my speedometer will read 0 even though I am going like 20.
No joke if it was not for Katie being on the phone with my I would had just stayed in the ditch and cried it off. I got home and was like dang all I wanna do is hug the people I love. Naturally some of those people were not here for me to hug but I settled for hugging my mom and whinnying to my boyfriend about how scared I was.
On a brighter not I did feel better today. I have a whole lot less congestion but my ears were like popped all day. It has felt so weird, like I am underwater. Welp, I have work again tomorrow so I must grab some sleep. I hope everyone had a beautiful day <3
Have you ever just felt like... #nightlyramble
December 7,2013
Well I am sitting here completely perplexed at how Antarctica apparently had a child smack dab in northern Texas. It is miraculously chilly here! Naturally when I just sit, I begin to think, and thinking leads to blogging. Well it is supposed to. Here lately though thinking has led to me wishing I wasn't too tired to get up and grab my laptop. Maybe it is just the weather that has put me in an over achievement mode, either way I kind of like it.
Anyways back to my point; have you ever just felt like things are amazing? Like you're right where the Big Man wants you? I kind of feel that way tonight. You see I graduate my junior college the 13th and I move out the 8th of next month. Usually I would be terrified, and as emotional as I have been I would think I should be terrified. But actually I am pretty excited. Well let me back up, I think I have so many positive things in my little life that I can not be scared right now. You see I have this absolutely breath taking relationship that I am not quite sure where it came from. I catch myself doing all those little things that I swore over and over I would not do. Like considering his feelings about my decisions that effect my future or missing him out of the clear blue. Oh, here is the kicker, Katie will send me these "sexy" hey girl Ryan Gosling things and my mind wonders. Not like please take me away with you Ryan but completely opposite. Let me give you an example; I was fighting a nasty cold and she sends me this little jewel...
Anyways back to my point; have you ever just felt like things are amazing? Like you're right where the Big Man wants you? I kind of feel that way tonight. You see I graduate my junior college the 13th and I move out the 8th of next month. Usually I would be terrified, and as emotional as I have been I would think I should be terrified. But actually I am pretty excited. Well let me back up, I think I have so many positive things in my little life that I can not be scared right now. You see I have this absolutely breath taking relationship that I am not quite sure where it came from. I catch myself doing all those little things that I swore over and over I would not do. Like considering his feelings about my decisions that effect my future or missing him out of the clear blue. Oh, here is the kicker, Katie will send me these "sexy" hey girl Ryan Gosling things and my mind wonders. Not like please take me away with you Ryan but completely opposite. Let me give you an example; I was fighting a nasty cold and she sends me this little jewel...
With that being said I was not considering cuddling with Mr. Gosling...nope. Ashley's first though and reply? "I just want my boyfriend and some orange juice!" Katie wanted to take my temperature and do a brain scan for possible brain tumors. Yet this has been pretty normal for me here lately.
Nevertheless I am still waiting for something bad to happen because this whole thing has been so sweetly miraculous, especially considering how atrocious my last relationship went. Not only is my relationship seamlessly perfect but my school has been as well. I am graduating with honors and honorable mention from the National Society of Leadership and Success. Then I ship my little self off to the school I really want to attend where I, hopefully, will be in their top honors program as well.
Not only is school amazing but I have received somewhat of a promotion from sales floor associate to a member of management in my little time at my job. I absolutely adore my job, even on its hard days. I love everything about it from the people, mostly, to the coworkers. I am so beyond blessed in this aspect as well.
In addition Katie is off at Tarleton State being awesome and what not. Although I thought this would blow, and sometimes it does, it really isn't half bad. Right now she is stressing herself out but in the long run she is actually really happy where she is at.
All in all things here on this side of the sun are going smashingly well. Aside from my constant fear a large emotional eruption will occur and off set my whole entire lovely life, things simply could not be any better.
I hope everyone keeps themselves safe and warm during this bat mess crazy weather, have a smashing night <3
Nevertheless I am still waiting for something bad to happen because this whole thing has been so sweetly miraculous, especially considering how atrocious my last relationship went. Not only is my relationship seamlessly perfect but my school has been as well. I am graduating with honors and honorable mention from the National Society of Leadership and Success. Then I ship my little self off to the school I really want to attend where I, hopefully, will be in their top honors program as well.
Not only is school amazing but I have received somewhat of a promotion from sales floor associate to a member of management in my little time at my job. I absolutely adore my job, even on its hard days. I love everything about it from the people, mostly, to the coworkers. I am so beyond blessed in this aspect as well.
In addition Katie is off at Tarleton State being awesome and what not. Although I thought this would blow, and sometimes it does, it really isn't half bad. Right now she is stressing herself out but in the long run she is actually really happy where she is at.
All in all things here on this side of the sun are going smashingly well. Aside from my constant fear a large emotional eruption will occur and off set my whole entire lovely life, things simply could not be any better.
I hope everyone keeps themselves safe and warm during this bat mess crazy weather, have a smashing night <3
Our Generations Ice Storm
December 7, 2013
For the past couple days here in no-where Texas we have been snowed in. I am sorry, we have not been snowed in, we have been iced in. People are stranded on I35 and churches are taking people in to protect them from the cold. Needles to say this is a huge deal. So here I am lucky to had ben off the past two days, but dreading tomorrow when I have to go to work.
Anyways enough of that, I finally have sometime to focus on this little gem of mine so I thought I would catch my viewers up on the things going on in my little life. I graduate my junior college next week and have been accepted to my first choice college and will move on campus in January. With that being said I should have more time to blog, let us hope.
Anyways enough of that, I finally have sometime to focus on this little gem of mine so I thought I would catch my viewers up on the things going on in my little life. I graduate my junior college next week and have been accepted to my first choice college and will move on campus in January. With that being said I should have more time to blog, let us hope.
Why men should cook breakfast
December 5, 2013
Before I start this I just want to state this is not a sexist piece. You see while I was texting my boyfriend the other morning I had a marvelous idea. Well marvelous by my standards. You see I was still getting ready while his super speedy self had plenty of time to get ready, make breakfast, and make it to work on time. Meanwhile I am trying to juggle makeup, hair, clothes, and still end up fashionably late. This is exactly why men should make breakfast. Well it is actually why women need a nice man too. You see by the time we are done getting ready a guy can be ready, have breakfast cooked, and be back in the bed room reminding you that you are going to be late, you look fine, and you need to go eat breakfast. Moral of the story? Women, find a nice man who can make you breakfast and keep you on track. That is all <3
The Thief of Romance
On a daily basis I find myself wondering if those wonderful prince-charming type men really exist. I mean the pull your chair out for you; admire your body instead of using it, and all that other mumbo-jumbo stuff that is seemingly lost in time. But the thing that blows my mind is this kind of stuff existed at some point in time. I mean my grandfather, a prince if I have ever met one, tells me the story of the young lady he had to actually walk miles in order to just ask her father if he may spend some time in her presence. Now most are thinking "well congratulations your grandfather is prince-like. Bless the lucky brod who married that one in a bigillion man." To that I must retort with he just did what he needed to do in order to see this girl. Which brings me to my question, who stole romance? Was it Walt Disney who made movies that made girls over rate men? Maybe it was country music and romance movies? Oh, it could be the erotic novels some ladies read that talk about men who put the woman first in the bedroom. But I highly doubt this; actually no I do doubt it.
Following all the movies, novels, songs, and all the other sappy objects that our shoved down the throats of poor unsuspecting young ladies is this cute little things called electronics. You see, let’s review the all too famous movie that ninety percent of ladies have seem; The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. Now how many times does that oh-so-dreamy Noah whip out his IPhone and text Allie to see if she might want to spend some time together? Never. My point was just made. Noah had to toodle on over to Allies house, pick her up, take her out, and bring her back. If he wanted to say hey he had to toodle on over the next day too. Not to mention if Noah and Allie had a texty-type relationship it would not had ended well. Considering how temperamental Allie was she would have never texted Noah back, it would have been world war three, four, and five all in the same bundle.
As if this was not enough evidence let’s look at today’s typical "dating" experience. Boy likes girl, boy gets her number, boy texts her, they text and text and text, they may or may not go on an actual chivalry type date, girl hangs out at guys house or somewhere else that does not qualify as a date, they text and text, they fight over text, girl gets sad because the guy is not a prince in shining armor, they break up, tears, chocolate, The Notebook, and other sad things to make this break up thing worse, then it starts over again. True, this is not an always sort of thing but in general let’s be honest, between the hustle and bustle of the new generations lives this cute little relationship thing has lost its flare. But let’s be honest ladies if some guy came up to you in the post office, asked to take you out instead of your number, took you out, made plans to see you again, and was more worried about opening the door than looking down your dress? What if he actually complemented you instead of assuming you know you look nice? Wouldn’t that be a trip?
The next wonderfully nauseating thing that most ladies fall into thinking it is a good idea is sending these scandalous pictures. No matter if your fifteen or thirty-five it makes no difference, this is something that ladies do out of sheer stupidity. Another lovely electronic ailed object in our wonderful 21st generation lives. But what if this guy had to walk to your house to see you, yeah maybe that is inconvenient, but how great would it be to figure out if he actually thought you important enough? I mean how many guys would walk to a ladies house just to ask her dad if it was okay to talk with her if they were not interested. Even if they would that is a terrible lot of work to get in a ladies panties. Not having this sort of technology would completely eliminate the factual point of sending indecent pictures to an undeserving guy. I mean yes, they could still get to see what hides under the dress you spent five hours picking out after changing five thousand times. But it would not be over a self-degrading picture to a not so husbandy type guy who is just going to disappoint you.
So many times I have thought "awe shucks let’s get rid of the phone, internet, and other technology that I desperately despise." But then I realize the romance is not the only thing infiltrated by technology. You see my life revolves around electronics as far as calling in sick, being contacted by my coworkers or boss, contacted my parents when I need to, and a thousand other things that are keeping me from being like "phooey on electronics". Then I get this crazy hair of an idea of what if I kept my phone and used it for such things as school, parents, and other things that are such and just did not give prospective future guy material my phone number. I can see this going terrible;
"Can I have your number?"
"Actually I do not give my number out to guys I think I may date. You’re going to have to work for this if you'd like to."
Can you say awkward? I know I am like the queen of awkward but really? This would not end well for my life I suppose. But how do we fix such a thing? Can I call robbery and sue technology for stealing my romance? I do not foresee that working out, ever. So how do we work to make sure we do not fall into such things like silly boys who do not compliment, date, or accomplish other Noah type actions? Stick around guys, maybe we will have some fun.