I have a new favorite song…well songs…well…song. Ha. It’s the same song but one is the acoustic version and the other has the band with it. I bought both from iTunes the other day.  The song is called, “She is love.”  I LOVE LOVE LOVE both of them! The acoustic one is very mellow and a bit melancholy but really beautiful. The other version just makes me smile and want to dance in my living room.

It’s by this group called Parachute, VA. No idea what that means–couldn’t find them on Pandora yet so I’m assuming they’re fairly new. But both versions of the song are so beautiful so highly I recommend listening and or purchasing them both.

These are the lyrics:

I’ve been beaten down, I’ve been kicked around,
But she takes it all for me.
And I lost my faith, in my darkest days,
But she makes me want to believe.

They call her love, love, love, love, love.
She is love, and she is all I need.
She’s all I need.

Well I had my ways, they were all in vain,
But she waited patiently.
It was all the same, all my pride and shame,
And she put me on my feet.

Cause when that world slows down, dear.
And when those stars burn out, here.
Oh she’ll be there, yes she’ll be there,
They call her love, love, love, love, love.

They call her love, love, love, love, love.

She is love, and she is all I need.

She is love and she is all I need.

I just love this song! Right now I have the more upbeat version in my head. Ahh. It makes me smile. I love how good songs can do that–can make you think of your life and make you smile. Can make you think about good times and make you hope for the future. How good lyrics and a beautiful melody can somehow restore your faith in whatever it was that was waning.

Not that I’m NOT a person who loves today and tries to make today the very best it can be–but I love having countdowns to something. I love looking forward to some event or date or trip or whatever. And then when the actual date is so close the time just seemed to pass by so quickly.

Take for instance NKOTB concert. Katie and I started a countdown for that in  JULY and that concert wasn’t until mid November. Still fun! And now it’s been 3 months since that concert…wow how things have just flown by.

Anyway currently things I’m counting down towards–in chronological order:

1) (3 hours and 50 minutes)—5:00p.m. I get to go home. Well actually I get to go to the eye doctor and order new glasses for the 3rd time. If you didn’t know this already Benson devoured my most fabulous black and purple Calvin Cline frames that I loved and that AJ thought were hot and I just felt fabulous in them. Sad. So I went on Monday and ordered contacts and ordered the EXACT same glasses (happy) and for $8 cheaper than what I paid last time (double happy!). Well I get a call yesterday from the tech who helped me and ends up they don’t make those glasses any more (sad) but what’s worse is I already paid for them again!! (double sad ) Anyway. I’ll go tonight and pick out new ones. Hopefully I can find something comparable because I really truly did love those frames. Sigh.

2) (4 Days!) Day after Valentine’s Day—not a HUGE huge fan of Valentine’s day because I think you should do nice, sweet special things for your honey anyway–but I am excited to make something extra special for my honey. He has to work on actual Valentine’s night—and will most likely be sleeping during the day (night/weekend jobs can be killer on relationships if you let them–but 98% of the time he does a really great job of making me feel extra special during the week and makes sure to do something fun with me on Sundays). Anyway I’m going to try out several new recipes for dinner so I am excited about that!

3) (16 Days!) Trip to Dallas. SO SO SO excited about leaving on the 27th to drive down to Dallas to see Miss Angela. Well I guess she’s Mrs. Angela but that doesn’t sound as good. Anywhoo…Oh I’m so excited to spend time with her. It’s always much much too long in between our visits and I hate to admit I’m not as great as a phone talker as I should be. So visits with her are always much needed and loved.

4) (17 days!) First EVER 5K run!–Angela has signed us up to do a 5K in Dallas of which I’m very excited about. So I went for a run the other day and I must say I think I’m much better about running on the treadmill and even better about my mileage on the elliptical machine. Running on pavement was hard!!! So we’ll see how well I do—not giving myself HUGE expectations for this run. But if  we can average 10-12 minute miles for our first 5K I’ll be so EXCITED. Heck. If we finish and we’re still alive I’ll be ecstatic!

5) (34 days) St. Patrick’s day!!! Come on! I’m IRISH! I LOVE St. Patty’s day. Although I never go to the parade or get exceptionally drunk (I might have one green beer!) I just love it. I feel like I’m a part of something because my dad’s grandparents came here from Ireland! I would love to go to Ireland some Day. Plus I love St. Patrick’s day because I’ve got the cutest little black T with a shamrock on it in green sequins. It’s just great.

6) (66 Days!!) AJ’s Birthday. I love birthdays. This will the be the first birthday we’ll be able to spend together because we weren’t together on our birthday’s last year. Oh I can’t wait to give lots of birthday hugs and kisses and presents!

7) (82 Days!!) Our 2 year Anniversary! Woo-Hoo! I love any and all occasions to give presents and cute cards and lots of smooches. 2 years has gone by so fast–lots of ups and downs but certainly worth it! So glad to be where we are now. It’s just so darn good.

8.) (86 Days!) Trip to Wichita. This will be fabulous. A weekend with my girl Katie! Plus it’s her birthday the day before! SO EXCITED!!!! We’re going to do all sorts of fabulous things. Plans, Plans, Plans. Woo-Hoo! Did I mention I love birthdays?

9) (99 Days!!) Trip to Connecticut! Drew and Carolyn’s wedding—oh this will be fun! And a fun little trip for me and AJ! I love trips! I need to look into airfare soon and very soon.

Well…that’s what’s happening for me (so far) within the next 100 days. I’m sure I’ll find other things to look forward to. Each day I have something to look forward to–but I am also trying really hard to love where I am. For instance—I’m at work–but I love that I have a job. Maybe I don’t love this particular job, but I love that God has blessed me withone anyway! And I love that today is Wednesday–see my thoughts on Wednesdays in previous posts. And I get to go work out tonight and get new glasses and spend time with all three of my puppies. So Today is a blessing. And full of surprises–I have one more thing to add to my list–AJ just emailed me and SURPRISE we’re going to a comedy show tomorrow! Something else to look forward to and something to love about my day today–unexpected surprises.

Mondays are awful. They really are.  Have you ever noticed when you DON’T have to go to work on a Monday that the Tuesday you actually go to work really isn’t as bad as a Monday? I have no idea why that is. But I don’t like Mondays.

Maybe I’ll create a petition at work to abolish Monday as a required work day. I would love to have 3 day weekends every weekend. And I think I’d rather have Monday off than Friday off. I really dislike Mondays.  It’s harder to get up in the morning; the day seems to drag by–the week seems super long. I have staff meetings on Mondays. I just don’t like this day of the week.

And what’s funny is I feel bad saying that—like Monday is going to get its feelings hurt. Ridiculous I know–like days of the week have feelings.  I mean Friday, Saturday and Sunday get a lot of the lovin’ when it comes to days of the week people love.

Although weekends are my favorite because I don’t have to work (boo work) I myself am a fan of Wednesdays too. I like the weekend days best but if I had to pick a work day that I like, well there’s just something about a Wednesday. You’re halfway through the week–it’s almost Thursday which is VERY close to Friday. Everything on Wednesday and after seems to get better–except when you get to Monday again. But really it’s just Wednesdays after about 3:00p.m.  that I start liking. I know that’s silly but that’s how I feel.

Wednesday nights are good—Monday nights are kind of boring. Not sure why, probably because it’s still Monday. Tuesday night’s I’m busy with Church–Thursday nights I have yoga and Fridays are usually boring, truth-be told.  I’m usually too tired from the week to go out and do anything and AJ works so I’m usually at home not doing much; which is fine most of the time. But Wednesdays are a good weeknight night. Sometimes I have a date with my honey–but a lot of time Wednesdays are my nights to get in a really awesome work out. 

Usually Wednesdays are Zumba night, but I’ve been getting tired of that; last week as you know was kickboxing. Who knows what Wednesday will bring this week! Maybe it will be something fabulous. OH another reason why Wednesdays are great–they’re lottery days too! Although I only play the lottery when it gets over $150 million, when I do win it will be on a Wednesday–another good reason to like Wednesdays.

Inspired by my friend Katie and Angela’s 100 things she loves lists I felt this morning was just a perfect time to reflect on just a few of the thousands of things I love.

Puppies playing in the background

My Sweetie.

Good coffee with good creamer

Tickle fights

Hugs

Kisses

Hearing I love you

A clean car right after a car wash

New shoes that were cheap

Decorating for Christmas

Time with God

Walks on nice days

Flowers–all of them!

Long, really hot showers

Hugs.

Funny e-mails sent to me throughout the day

The anticipation before a trip

Fresh laundry that’s folded

My doggies, Felony, Benson and Roscoe

Lemon zest.

Twinkle lights in my bedroom

Going down a new street for the first time

Spending time with my mom and sis.

Wearing an “I look damn hot” kind of dress

Buying new sexy underwear

Marshall’s–even if I don’t buy anything 

A new scented candle to burn

Going to Church

How I feel after a really good work out.

Eating lots of chocolate

Making an awesome dinner that people (mostly AJ) enjoy

Pretty picture frames with actual pictures in them

Movie and popcorn date nights

Laughing so hard it hurts

Curtains.

Holding hands on car rides

Taylor Swift’s song, “Love Story”

Giving a gift someone just absolutely loves

Matching dog sweaters for my boys

My house right after it’s vacuumed

French bread at restaurants with real whipped butter

Kisses on my temple

Champagne for no reason

How I look/feel when I actually accessorize

Going anywhere with my man.

Unexpected girls’ nights out on the town

Fat free 1/2 and 1/2 (I too LOVE, love love this–Katie! Great for baking/cooking!)

My girlfriends–just love them, need them, admire them.

Dinner parties–going to them and having them.

An date on a weekend night!

Lazy Sunday afternoon movie, late lunch, lounge in comfy clothes sort of day

Just  a few for right now. More lists and posts to come, I’m sure.

My sister is just absolutely fabulous. She’s smart and gorgeous and she’s got to be the best 3rd grade teacher on the planet. Yes, the planet. All of Earth.

So she surprised me with an early Valentines day gift yestderday–a sweet card and a bunch of fabulous stickers that say my name on them (you’ll all probably be getting these stickers on any cards I mail in the near future–actually probably for years because she got me quite a bit! ) Anyway the supremely fabulous item in the bunch of gifts was the bright orange, green, pink, yellow and blue coffee mug that says “Ashley” in big puffy colors! It’s AWESOME!!!

I took it to work this morning and am proudly drinking out of it. I’ve gotten no less than 10 compliments so far. I have no doubt this number will increase as the days/months of use continue!

Didn’t have time to take a picture over my lunch break but thought I’d share what it looks like–the only difference obviously is the name and mine’s orange and has flowers and grass on it. It’s tremendous.

Yeah for sisters!

Ashley's Mug

My boyfriend is a genius. He really is–I can’t help but brag. He’s just so darn smart and hilarious and very witty. He has all kinds of fabulous ideas that will one day make him mucho dinero and  allow us to travel, me to quit my job, yada, yada, yada.

The problem that he’s encountered is he thinks up this great idea or invention to help save time, or save money or keep parts of your male anatomy warm in the winter—but it seems every fabulous idea he’s come up with is taken. I take that back–don’t think anyone’s come actually come up with “The Johnson” (see below–no idea where he found this not his original idea but he had some clever marketing strategies!) or not–not even sure how well that one would sell.

But for instance we were in the grocery store earlier this week and they sold ice scrapers that are attached to a waterproof mitten. How awesome is that?? That is so practical and very helpful. We both looked at each other, were quiet for a minute and then he said “Why couldn’t I have come up with THAT????”

He’s thought up some clever ideas but then we find out someone else thought of them first–but he’s on the right track. One of these days he’ll just come up with something so incredible people all of the country will be saying why couldn’t I have thought of that!!! I have absolute faith and confidence this will happen.

But back to the title of said post. Snuggies. I’m sure you’ve seen the ridiculous commercial for these. They truly are heinous. And the person who has invented it has sold over 4 million! Can you believe it? What a stupid idea—that guy/gal’s laughing all the way to the bank. Well I would be–I mean really, you HAVE to know if you’ve invented the Snuggie that it really is sort of ridiculous.

Anyway AJ sent me a parody of the commerical that I found absolutely hilarious. Enjoy!

Seriously. I feel like I just got beat up. And what’s worse is I beat up MYSELF!!!!!!!!! Ha. How hilarious and yet utterly pathetic is that? I took a cardio kickboxing class tonight just to try it out. I’ve wanted to do something high energy that would allow me to finally triumph in a mock grappling tournament AJ and I partake in frequently in my apartment.

Don’t think those dreams are going to come to fruition. I am in good shape. I can run a 6 minute mile if I HAVE to…I can work out for an hour on the elliptical machine and I can power walk for long distances with the best of them—I can do this stuff. I can kind of lift weights–I say kind of because I can do it if the machine’s not too technical (hate messing with them) and it’s not too terribly heavy–I’m just not strong people!!!!

Anyway I’m in good shape! At least I thought so before tonight. I had to sit down in the middle of a 3 minute heat–they do 3 minute intervals of whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing—kicking, punching, upper-cutting (yes, new word). I had to sit down during one of these—on the bench. SIT DOWN! I thought I was going to pass out. Seriously started seeing stars. One second I was fine beating the living daylights out of my “assailant” and the next it was like my heart kicked in to overdrive–went from 0 to 200 in about 2 seconds. It hit me that fast. It was the strangest most horrible sensation. So I sat down for about 3-4 minutes. The blood started recirculating through my body (this is a good thing!) and I didn’t feel so queasy. So I got back up and joined the class again. The instructor said I was brave for rejoining the class cause I looked a little pale… yes…more pale than I already am.

The last 15 minutes or so of class was spent doing major ab workouts and lots of push-ups. I love the ab work outs–love it, love it, love it. I love feeling pain there when I laugh or cough–makes me feel like a Victoria’s Secret model in training.  We used medicine balls and did all sorts of crunches and lifts and push-ups and oblique work-outs. Oh…wonderful–feels so good to work my abs. But I’m going to be so very sore not tomorrow but the next day—so Friday I will be a complete whiney grouchy baby–just beware!

I really did like it–when I was done. It’s one of those classes that you just absolutely HATE the instructor. You just want to kick the smirk off his face (I wouldn’t really do that…)—and then you’re thinking I actually PAID for this!!!!!! Well I didn’t, it was free the first time you went to check it out.

Although I love how hard I worked out–and this was something so completely different than my body is used to I don’t think I’m going to join the gym. It’s just too darn pricey for me to justify it. $49 a month seems a little steep for a class I can see myself feasibly taking once a week due all the other stuff I do and just the extremeness of the class–If I took this multiple times a week I think I’d die and I’d grow to hate it–actually hate it–not the hate it but you love it because it makes you sweat and that’s a good kind of hate; if that makes any sense.  Too pricey indeed.

So my quest for a fabulous, cheap, ass-kicking work-out that will mold my Victoria’s Secret underwear model body will have to continue.

So I love looking at wedding pictures. I don’t even care if I know the people or not. I just love looking at them. It’s not even that I’m pining to plan my own wedding, although some day down the road that will be fan-freaking-tastic! It’s just that in no other group of pictures does anyone look so happy and content and at peace and gorgeous and just so darn smug! I love it.

Facebook is a great for random wedding photo perusing. If you know someone who posts a comment about someone  else’s photos you can look at them! How ingenious is that? That’s how I find a lot of pictures. They’re all different but the one constant is just the sparkle in both the bride and groom’s eyes.

I want to always look at my husband like that–I know that sometimes he’ll irritate me beyond belief and every once and a while we’ll make each other mad or sad or whatever–that can happen in a relationship–although hopefully that’s not too frequently–but whatever, I still want to be THAT happy 10, 15, 30, 55 years whatever down the road.

I think too many people forget why they got married in the first place–because they just love being with that other person. I think too many people give up when times get tough and romance isn’t on the front burner any longer. You have to work, work, work at it. And the funny thing is when you love the person–the work isn’t really work. You make time for that person. You do nice things for them. You give neck rubs and pray for them and love them even when they’re grouchy.

It’s the hard life stuff that gets people all screwed up. You have to turn to each other and rely on each other and love each other more during those trying times.  It’s saying this sucks right now but it’s not always going to be like this for us and by the way, thank God we still have each other.

I never want to get divorced. I’ve seen how horrible it is on every single person affected by it. I don’t ever want to get to a place where that is even a distinct thought in my mind. I want someone who’ll say yes let’s do whatever it takes to make us happy. That’s what I think we all deserve.

I don’t care if my hair-do or my dress or my husband’s tux go out of style in 30 years–I’m still going to display those pictures proudly throughout my house.  What a great reminder of where you started as a couple but even more so a catalyst to think on how far you’ve come together. I love how pictures can do that. Remind of you of the past and bring your focus to the present all at the same time.

Random post, I know. But I was facebooking and saw a picture and that just got me thinking. Wow. 3 posts in one day. Well…more like 2.5 in one day. I’m on a roll! Got a lot of time to make up…and a lot of blogging to make sure Katie’s occupied at work!

I’ve decided I do this entirely too much but I have absolutely no intention of stopping. When you have a job that is boring, such is mine, then you need something to think about whilst running reports and entering applications and fixing people’s log in problems. BORING. I was chatting with my gal Katie yesterday about just that. Sometimes I think work is the most pointless, utterly useless thing I could possibly do with my day.  And I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve not really enjoyed a single one of my paying jobs. Not a single one. I’ve enjoyed people I’ve worked with—they make it bearable. Probably the best was working with Dawn at Pro Staff. She made it seem like not so much work. But as far as the actual job. Yeah…not so much. All my jobs have started off okay. Then I get restless, bored and then miserable. I’m in the restless stage right now of my new job—and I’ve only been just over 8 months!! That’s sad.

I want to be one of those people who can get up in the morning and say I LOVE what I do. I was in training two weeks ago at an all-day Microsoft Excel class—the trainer got up there and was so excited and said several times how much she loves what she does. Yes I know that in every position or career one has there will be challenging days—but overall to say you LOVE what you do? That’s awesome! What bothers me and scares me and annoys me about my situation is that I have absolutely no idea what it is I am supposed to be doing with my life. I don’t know if I’ve missed some sign from the Lord about my calling or I’m already seeing that sign yet dismissing it or what. Or perhaps it hasn’t arrived yet. Katie suggested perhaps I’ll get my sign through one of these jobs. That could be the case—but truthfully the idea of sitting at a desk the remainder of my working life—another 30 plus years is depressing and horrendous and wrinkly. Yes, wrinkly. It makes me scrunch up my brow. Which is bad—I do not want premature wrinkles—which is vain but who cares? J

Anywhoo—daydreaming—I can’t help but think about what I’d do if I could suddenly quit my job without reservation (Lottery anyone?) and travel and just try out different things. Just give anything and everything a try until I figure out what I love. I don’t even have a hobby really. I love to read, but I don’t really consider that a hobby—just a love. I love to dance—but that’s an expensive hobby and not one on which I could feasibly support 3 dogs and a potentially unemployed boyfriend.  I think about the travel that I would do and the shopping and the volunteering. I’d love to build a habitat for humanity house and go to Honduras again and learn more languages.

And then I think about all of this and I know I’m being absolutely ridiculous, I know this—I am so incredibly blessed. Blessed beyond belief that I have a job that pays the bills and gives me just a teeny bit left over to by a new pair of shoes every once and a while or a fabulous new red velvet lamp shade—didn’t know it was velvet when I bought it but I love, love love it in my bedroom. I have a sexy bedroom now. Oh I love it. And I have twinkle lights around my bed. Just makes me want to spend all sorts of time there! J

Wow…I digress majorly. Anyway I’m blessed. I say that with an absolutely full heart and I mean it.  God has truly provided for me in ways I could never have imagined. I have a nice apartment and a nice car and warm clothes and more than enough food to eat. And I have a job. I think about AJ and my heart just worries for him about this possible lay-off—not that he won’t find something else, I know he will—and not that he won’t be provided for because he has savings and if worse comes to absolute worse worse worse, then he knows I’ll be the sugar momma for a while. But my worry for him is the worry he feels—the anxiety he feels and the stress of the unknown. I’m so grateful I do not have that worry of my own.

But I daydream regardless. Maybe it makes me a hypocrite, I don’t know. But I believe there is something better for me than sitting at a cubicle all day running reports and answering phones and doing other people’s menial tasks. This is a job that many people would love to have. So I feel rather selfish for wanting more for myself. But patience is a virtue—and good things come to those who wait but also for those that make things happen. I just have to be patient for my opportunity then seize it. But I am completely open and amenable to suggestions in the meantime.  

I am bad bad bad with a capital B. I’ve been the wost blogger in the history of blogging, seriously. I have nothing very exciting to transmit at the present moment but I’m absolutely certain that will change within the next 6 hours!

I PROMISE!!!!