day 152

the aftermath of that moment when the wall of ice in your drink just gives out and your drink spills all over you and your shirt. yeah, that's what this is.

Dustin Says

Only 30 minutes until we have to wait an hour. (Said while at HOB to see Thrice)

It's 2012! I'll buy that shit online! (Said while walking by the mercy tables at HOB)

People love some hobo shoes.

I'm going to strut out of here like John Travolta struts into a gay bar.

Little Veda just said "FUCK!", she's turned into Darth Veda.

Crystal Rain sounds like a stripper. (Referring to the new Windex I bought)

I think I'd be great on Saturday Night Live except I don't want to work on Saturdays.

day 151

my hair is always a mess.

this growing out business is about as much fun as getting my blood drawn.

and i hate that shit.

day 150

check out the deals going on at albertson's!

Three Days Long

FRIDAY: The start to the fabulous 3 day weekend! There is no feeling like when the clock hits 5PM on a Friday of a long weekend. Basically I ran out of work in pure excitement and raced home. I asked Dustin if he wanted to grab some froyo but he suggested Jeremiah's instead. So we were out the door and before we knew it - stuffing our faces with a nice cold treat.

SATURDAY: I woke up at the crack of fucking dawn. Seriously - 6AM! I laid on the couch and watched Jane Eyre until Dustin got up. The rest of the day was spent with my damn desk. I literally spent all day painting and organizing my desk. It was exhausting. While I was doing it, I was fine but afterwards I could barely move. I'm still sore and I am still finding paint on my skin two days later.

SUNDAY:  I went to Katie's for Aubrie's 5th birthday party. Five. Five years! Insane. I got there a bit early so I got to see Aubrie jump out of the car in their driveway with her little cap and gown on, since  they came straight from her pre-k graduation. A mini cap and gown is the cutest! It was a low key birthday. Katie invited her close family and friends and it really was nice and cozy. We watched Aubrie open presents and of course enjoyed some cake and ice-cream. 

Tropical Storm Beryl was just starting to make it's way across Florida when I was leaving the party. I thought I was going to beat it. Boy, was I wrong. I ran to my car in quite the downpour. I was soaked head to toe but my purse and the contents inside were all ok. No big deal. A little rain never hurt anybody! But then I started to drive in it. OMG! Seriously, some of the worst weather I've ever experienced in a car. Not only that but people were still driving like assholes. Everyone on I-4 was doing maybe 30 MPH. It was kind of scary. But then it just stopped. It was even sunny. I looked in my rearview mirror and it was black. But the stretch of highway in front of me was clear, dry and sunny. Oh Florida, you so crazy! Ha.

I made it home safely and Dustin and I decided to watch Chronicle. So good and different! We both really liked that movie. Dustin is still talking about it and how he wants Chronicle powers. Nerd. We also got to enjoy our Sunday evening of HBO shows without the dread of Monday morning. We stayed up late just because we could. I was not feeling good at all so we just stayed up watching some show about the existence of mermaids. Ariel!

I love having an extra day off! Ok, sure we didn't do shit today but it was still great. A paid holiday is always great. And this holiday has even more meaning than just time off. So Happy Memorial Day to everyone but especially those who gave their lives for our country. 

Katie: "Raise your hand if you want ice cream with your cake."

day 149

at it again.

another summer.

another viewing of all four seasons of felicity.

best tv show ever.

ever!

Ash Violet

I devoted my entire Saturday to painting my desk. It was a long, exhausting process but the end result was so worth it.

We started at Home Depot, like most projects do. You know, just a nice little Saturday skipping around the Home Depot.  First up, was the paint color. I decided on a purplish gray but didn't know the exact color I wanted just yet. But then I found 'Ash Violet' and Dustin and I both agreed that was the one. My first instinct was to buy a half gallon but then I was told by a man in an orange apron that they only sell paint by the quart or gallon. Um what? Stupid. He tried to talk us into a gallon but my mind was thinking that was way too much paint. In the end I opted for one quart of violet ash. And so glad I did because not only was it cheaper but it was the perfect amount of paint needed. And I still have a bit extra.

We picked up some brushes, sand paper, and polyurethane and we were done. Before we actually got started with the work we agreed we needed some sustenance. We stopped at Chipotle. Best decision ever. Our tummies were happy and as soon as we got home, we got to work.

I scattered the contents of my desk on the dining room table, the floor, the kitchen counter tops. I am always amazed about how much shit I can fit into this desk. I had plans to go through it all before putting it back in my desk but that would just have to wait. I had a desk to paint.

I spread out an old sheet in the carport. We moved the desk outside, along with all the drawers. Dustin helped me sand and clean off everything. Then he left me to it. I had his portable speakers that conveniently plug right into my iPhone and it was just me, music, and a paint brush. Oh and nature. The nature part wasn't my favorite. It was 90 degrees and muggy. Not only that but giant insects kept taking turns dive bombing my head. I was even witness to a lizard fight. I watched two lizards battle it out. I just sat on the cement, paint brush in hand, mouth open, in amazement of such a thing. There were birds screeching, squirrels running in the yard, and lots of noises I couldn't identify.

I really started to get excited about this transformation once I was done with the first coat. My vision started to slowly come together. Then the second coat went on and I was pretty impressed with myself. Then I went inside to ask Dustin if he thought I should go ahead and paint a third coat since I had plenty of paint leftover. He left it up to me - I went ahead with a third. Then I had to wait for it to dry. That was the hardest. Tom Petty knew what he was talking about - the waiting is the hardest part.

Finally it dried and I was able to put a coat of poly over the top and the drawers. The can said we would have to wait another four hours. I was not excited about more waiting. Dustin assured me it wouldn't take that long. Dustin was wrong. It literally took four hours! I'm pretty sure the humidity in the air did not help things. Once we brought it inside, it dried at lightning speed. Lesson learned.

Dustin and I screwed in the new hardware. He fixed the shelf on the right side. And BAM before we knew it, I had a brand new desk. Well, not brand new. This desk has been in my possession for a good 17 years. My grandma bought it for me when I was a kid. Over time this thing has seen school books scattered all over the place, probably 5 different computers (going back to 1997), hand written letters, bills, and various tchotchekes - like my Dwight Shrute bobble head. This desk has been with me a long time. I've always liked the simpleness of it and especially the storage. I just was never a fan of the wood. So I can't believe after all of these years I am typing this from what feels like a brand new desk. It's like a fresh start with an old friend. 

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

day 148

dozer.

i mean, check out the lower jaw!

day 147

grouped like items while cleaning my desk out.

day 146

everyone loves a 3 day weekend!

day 145

oh look, my favorite show is on!

day 144

free greek food!

True Blood

I  started watching True Blood about a month ago. Dustin got HBO strictly for Game of Thrones but when I found out HBOGO let's you watch any HBO show ever, I decided to just go for it. All my friends, even acquaintances always raved about the show. I never understood it myself. I thought it was basically Twilight with real sex scenes. I was so wrong. First of all, don't ever let me compare Twilight and True Blood again. Twilight is for 12 year olds and even then it's just not that great. True Blood is everything. The gore, romance, the suspense, the crazy lovable characters, the action, and even humor!

It took me four weeks to get through four seasons of awesome. I just watched the last episode Sunday and I'm already wondering how I'll make it to June 10th for the season five premiere. It feels like forever!

FAVE CHARACTERS

Eric Northman

He's a seriously hot, viking, vampire badass.

He's my new boyfriend. He has been the first and only to grace my new desktop.

Jessica Hamby

She's gorgeous, sweet as a cupcake, and a bit of a fireball.

She's grown the most and is my fave female in the show.

Pam de Beaufort

She cracks me up. She has some of the best lines on the show.

OTHER RANDOM THOUGHTS

Tara - She gets increasingly more annoying with each season. I kind of hope she's finally dead.

Tara's Mother - She drove me crazy in the earlier seasons. Thankfully she hasn't gotten much air time as of late.

Hotshot Panthers - I hated the storyline. I hated the characters. Just say no to panthers.

Fairy Bullshit - Ok, we get it Sookie's a fairy. Can't we just leave it at that? That whole fairy world was so creepy and cheesy. And the whole fairy godmother shit? Really? This isn't a Disney movie.

Marnie aka Petunia Dursley - I couldn't believe Harry Potter's aunt who despises magic was also in True Blood as a witch nonetheless. How ironic. 

Bill Compton - He annoys me. I understand his role in the show and I'm sure he'll always be around but I still can't stand him. I do enjoy doing impressions of him saying "Sookie" but it sounds more like "Suki!".

Terry Bellefleur - He's pretty funny and also he played Lane's husband in Gilmore Girls. I knew he looked familiar! Crazy! Also, his army bud that showed up in the season four finale is none other than Noel Crane from Felicity. Ahh! This makes me super excited for season five.

Sam Merlotte - I have always liked him. I rooted for him to be with Sookie before Eric came into the picture. He's such a sweet little shifter. 

Jason Stackhouse - Like Jess, he's grown so much over the seasons. I definitely like that his character is getting a bit more depth. And I agree with my friend Nicole - I don't want him to turn into a vamp either.

Rene - He played a good villain in season one but what I thought was even more awesome was his Cajun accent on the show. I was proud of myself for spotting it. It's all thanks to hours spent watching Swamp People.

My favorite villains are definitely Russell Edgington and Steve Newlin (now a vampire! whoa this is going to get interesting). I also like Lorena because she was just so awful. She was entertaining in that psycho stalker ex-girlfriend kind of way.

I'm a Hart of Dixie watcher and it's been kind of fun to watch Merlotte's/Rammer Jammer in two totally different settings.

Alcide - Another sweet guy in love with Sookie. Join the club bud! But seriously, is anyone not in love with her? I'm excited to see where this character goes now that Deb is dead.

The first few episodes I really had a problem with the fangs. I thought (and still kind of think) they are too close together. But I've learned to not dwell on that. Ha! Im over it. Kind of.

photos: one. two. three. four. five. six.

day 143

i feel old. =/

day 142

i dumped a load of clean clothes on dustin in hopes he would help me fold them. 

it didn't work. he was too into america's got talent to care.

Found

Movie classics - recreated, on the ground, with kids. I really love the creativeness of this photo series.

Problems that aren't really problems at all. Story of my life.

@WhiteGirlProblems posted via Twitter "The scariest transmitted disease is pregnancy." (So true.) AND a list of alternative birth control methods.

Sometimes Sweet summer reading list is right up my alley. I want to start reading 'Signs of Life' right this minute.

48 Things That Will Make You Feel Old. Holy Shit! It's true. I feel old. Seriously old. 1990 was 22 years ago PEOPLE! What?!

50 Shades of Grey: The Paint Chip Edition. And no I haven't read the book. I just can't get behind something that originated as Twilight fan fiction.

A beautiful, simple wedding.

A roller-coaster I could totally handle.

Please help with the fight against pancreatic cancer. It would mean the world to Katie and her family.

Top Baby Names of 2011 from the SSA. Really people? Can I name your babies for you? Because you guys totally suck at it. Also you can look up the popularity of your own name. Mine has lost popularity over the years (wooo!) but still in the top 50. Thumbs down.

day 141

i'm painting my desk memorial day weekend and i can't for the life of me decide on a damn paint color. my initial thought was deep purple. purple is my fave of all colors and therefore always my go-to. all of our furniture is either black or very dark wood so the dark purple just may be too much dark. i think it would be nice to have something brighter and fun. nothing in our house is too matchy matchy so i'm not really thinking "will this color go with the rest of the room?". i just want something fresh, bright, and fun.

maybe i need more samples?

day 140

i went for a walk with a greek goddess.

Farewell Thrice

I raced home after work on Wednesday. Changed into more comfortable clothes and Dustin and I were out the door. It had been raining all afternoon and it was not letting up any time soon. So we endured 5 o'clock traffic on I-4 with the added annoyance of rain. It took us over an hour just to get to and off of our exit. We stopped at Subway beforehand because I was starving and we'd be at the show all night without any food. Dustin's exact words to me were "I'm going to need you to eat this turkey sub post-haste!". Alright alright. Geez!

We parked. I had a shoe dilemma (rain boots or sneakers?!). Dustin was the final decision maker on that one. I went with sneakers. We walked right into the House of Blues and tried to decide where to stand. We were on the stairs, by the rail, upstairs, nope back downstairs. Dustin was driving me nuts with all his indecisiveness. We settled for downstairs, center, by the rail - behind two other people. Thankfully those people left soon after we arrived and BOOM, we had a ridiculously good view. Side note: Both times I had seen Thrice with Dustin before, we had really shitty spots - behind the tallest, douchiest people in America. Ugh, it wasn't as enjoyable as we had hoped. But our luck had changed and looks like third time was the charm. Thrice the charm.

The first band who opened for them was awful. So awful in fact, I started playing Bejeweled on my phone 30 seconds into their first song. The second band, Animals as Leaders, were pretty crazy. Three really good musicians and not a single lyric kept our attention for 45 minutes. Dustin was super impressed by them. Finally, Thrice came on at 9:30 and played this set list of awesome for about 2 hours. They are always so good live. I mean, they are good period but typically bands just aren't as good live. They have always sounded just like their CDs every time I've seen them perform. It's pretty cool. I have a lot of favorites but I really really enjoyed hearing Digital Sea. The only song they didn't play that I wish they would have was their cover of Eleanor Rigby.

Dustin and I really had a fantastic time. We both agreed it was one of the best shows we had ever been to. And boy have we been to some shows over the years. It sucks this will be the last time we see them for awhile, as this is their 'Farewell Tour' but I think it's sweet they want to spend more time with their families.

So farewell...for now.

day 139

my first photo booth picture on my new mac.

day 138

this is called trespassing.

day 137

i like rainy pictures - OK!?

day 136

one of my new knobs.

dustin approved.

Dustin Says

My style is business ratty.

The toilet's natural enemy is poop.

I have GOT to see what twitter is saying about Nicholas Cage.

You just punched me in the face with the truth.

That's about as useful as tits on a grandma.

I just want a job where I don't have to go to work.

We're just two little mistakes that found each other.

I hate your professional voice.

baby bird buds

dustin took this video while at work today. a little bird family made a home in one of the trailers they haven't been using. adorable!

day 135

flag day is coming.

are you ready?

Twig & Berries

FRIDAY: I came home, had a costume change, stopped at Subway for Katie, and headed on up to Deland for Aubrie's dance recital. It was at the Museum of Florida Art which turned out to be pretty neat. Actually, that whole little downtown stretch of Deland is pretty neat. I had never been over on that side of Deland before and got a little lost. I blame it on my iPhone. I finally made it and had to wait for Katie out in the lobby by the restrooms like a creeper. She was still in the 6PM show. I couldn't believe how many people were there. I don't really know what I was expecting but certainly not that many people. We met up with some of her other friends and took our seats. I had my iPhone, camera, and flip at the ready. The recital was more than just 4 year olds. Every age group had their own routine. But when Aubrie came out we all squealed a bit especially Kierce. She kept screaming Aubrie's name. It was hilarious AND I got it all on video! It was such a neat experience and I'm just so proud of her.



Aubrie's Recital from Ashley on Vimeo.


SATURDAY: We met my mom for breakfast for an early Mother's Day but we just ended up fighting most of the time. That's just how it goes and I have become used to it. It's the norm with us. It's all I've ever known so I just roll with it. It wasn't all bad. There were moments where I think we all were enjoying ourselves, so that's something.
After breakfast, Dustin and I went to go check out some knobs! For my desk, obviously! I plan on painting my desk Memorial Day weekend and I wanted new hardware to really spruce it up. I've had this thing since I was 10 or something and I like the simplicity of it but it needs a good overhaul. Dustin picked out a checkered one for the top long drawer and I got glass knobs for the side drawers. We both liked the mix match look. I'm still undecided on the paint color but I'm leaning toward deep purple. Although, I think canary yellow, charcoal gray, burnt orange, or seafoamish teal would be awesome too. Ugh decisions.
We also stopped by Best Buy so I could get an external hard drive. I needed it to transfer my 4,000+ music library from my old iTunes to my new one. I also just need one to keep everything backed up on. 
Dustin's on a smoothie kick lately so before heading home we stopped by Planet Smoothie for a 'Twig & Berries' (my personal fave). 
 
SUNDAY: We did a whole lot of nothing. This is what 99% of every Sunday of ours is like. We did watch Red Riding Hood on HBO. It was pretty good. We both thought the music didn't fit the movie though. AND of course Dustin was right about who the wolf ended up being. He can spot those things from a mile away. It's kind of annoying. 
But now the weekend is a thing of the past and I'm already focused on this upcoming weekend.

day 134

my mom gave me a box of all the vases that were used at our wedding. 

i took 3 and gave the rest of these suckers away. 

Mother's Day

Out of all of the Mother's Day PostSecret cards I read today, this is the only one I could relate to.

All the Time

Time really seems to be speeding up lately. It's probably just an illusion brought on by all the changes/milestones that keep going on. But still, how does it all go by so fast?


My brother just turned fifteen last Wednesday and when Dustin and I called him to wish him a Happy Birthday, he told us he was in the middle of taking his permit test. What? My little baby brother driving? Already? Hold up, he was just a little toddler with a bowl cut who would come running to my room every time he was in trouble.

---

Katie told me she registered Aubrie for Kindergarten. Huh? She can't be old enough for school yet because wasn't it just a few weeks ago I was holding her chubby baby body in the hospital?

---

Dustin mentioned a few weeks back that he got a notice on Facebook about his ten year high school reunion next year. I was really excited for him upon hearing this but then I thought there is no way we've been out of high school for ten years. I mean, come on, that's just insane. It had to of been a few years ago I was stressing over some project, eating Doritos every day for lunch, and skipping every math class I had. Wait, it HAS been almost 10 years. Jesus.

---

Recently, a co-worker asked how old I was and without even thinking about it I told him I was 27. I didn't even realize until five minutes later that I told him the wrong age. I'm still 26...yet, I'm over at work telling lies, aging myself. My birthday wasn't for another two months when this occurred. Old me would have never made that slip up. Because age used to have meaning. I remember wearing 13, 16, 18, etc. with pride. If I was asked my age back then, I had not only the years down, but the months too, and I said it with attitude. I saw it as some kind of achievement. Now, I'm just someone who can't even remember her real fucking age. Does this mean I'm old? 

Time tricks me on a daily basis. It's always on my mind. I'm obsessed. It's either going by too slow... or too fast. It's never seems to go by at a normal speed. Whether it's ripe, running out, having quality, being managed, misspent,  slipping into the future, desperate, or having healing properties - time just keeps on going. Trucking right along. It can't be stopped or even slowed down. I guess that's why 'they' say make the best of it. 

It is THE reason I still write in my live journal, blog, take a million photographs, social network, and video tape everything. All of these things help me freeze time just for a moment. These things help to bring me back to a particular thought, mindset, memory, feeling, an inside joke, etc. and I love that. I love all of the reminders I leave myself of time already spent. Already lived but not forgotten. 

I'm not afraid of time passing. I'm afraid of not being able to remember certain things. Because there is just so much worth remembering. 

Quotes about time. 

day 133

retro publix.

there are a couple around town.

i just love them so much.

day 132

aubrie aka the cutest damn ladybug you'll ever going to see.

day 131

i always put a new roll on, despite what dustin might say.

Found

A cute proposal.

The Early November released a song from their new upcoming album. Close to you. I'm in love.

This article pissed off a lot of mothers but to me it makes a lot of good points.

30 things women should know and have before turning 30.

Release me video.

First day of school over 13 years.

Meteorite wedding band. Fucking awesome.

Where women want the government.

day 130

clearly very inappropriate.

day 129

i make fun of hipsters all the time and yet look at what the name of my fave lipstick is.

day 128

it rained!

hallelujah!

Bringing Home Mac

I am typing this very second on my new iMac. Eeeee! I have been wanting an iMac for years but even more so ever since Dustin bought his MacBook Pro last summer. I've had my old Dell tower for four years and my monitor is about 6 years old. It was time for an upgrade and not just because of age. My computer kept getting virus after virus, froze up multiple times through out the day and was lacking memory amongst other important things. 

I was never a 'Mac person'. But slowly over the years I have fallen in love with all Apple products. First it was the iPod but the iPhone is what really did it for me. That little device makes my life a million times easier and more entertaining. That phone got me interested in Macs. I was the girl who would go play on the giant iMac in the Apple store every chance I got. I would just stand there in awe until Dustin would give me that look that it's time to leave.

One random day last summer, Dustin and I skipped on over to the apple store to buy him a MacBook Pro.  He prefers laptops, I am not really a fan of them. Since it was a Mac though, I was still pretty impressed. So this past year he has let me play around on it every now and then. He'd let me watch TV shows, play in photo booth, and I even got to edit some personal videos using iMovie. His MacBook confirmed my love and desire to own one myself. Well, in the desktop version.

Life throws us all curve balls and generally those curve balls almost always cost something. I am certainly no exception. Shit comes up. So I paid for the necessary things first (i.e. a new car and of course those pesky dental bills). I like to be smart about my money. I know what I can and can't afford and I prefer to never get in over my head financially. So I had to wait and wait but I knew it would be worth it. 

Friday evening, after I got off work, I walked into that Apple store with Dustin like I owned the place. I wasn't coming to play around on those really nice Macs, I was coming to BUY one. We waited about 10 minutes until someone was available to assist us. I forgot his name but he looked like a mini version of Adam Levine (without the doucheness). He was nice and knowledgable and got us out of there fairly quickly. He shook my hand and said "Congratulations". This has GOT to be what it feels like to have a baby. I mean, I was instantly in love, instantly felt over-protective and couldn't wait to bring him home. See? Same thing. Actually, probably better - since my Mac doesn't require 100% of my attention, and  doesn't poop or scream. 

Dustin strapped him in the car and helped me set everything up. I've been a 'Mac person' for almost 48 hours and it sure does feel good.