Pinterest needs a COMPLETED BUTTON!!!

So if you read my blog you would know that Agan and I bought a house last August.

Since we had several weddings and then the holidays, I am just now getting started decorating.

I mean we have some stuff up on the walls and our furniture is in its place,

But for me, it just wasn't "homey".

SOOOOOOOOOO, to start I wanted to get things on the walls and try to complete the rooms that were ALMOST finished, but not quite there.

So I'm currently working on the living room, dining room and kitchen 

(which all kind of connect)

So here are a couple of things I've completed thus far

(I will post pictures of the completed area as soon as I get the finishing touches, mainly some greenery)

These are old wine bottles covered in yarn

Here they are on my mantle...

I added some wheat grass and curly willow accents (which I found at Fred's for $1.00)

I will also be adding some greenery in the middle to finish this part of the room

Here is my cork wreath

It is a 24 inch cork wreath and it took about 500 corks 

(I had about 300 put aside and asked others for corks - they are expensive online)

Next up...Making my own Canvas Prints!!!

You can find information on how to do all of the above on my pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/ashleylynn1986/

PS - Wanna give a shout out to my crafting buddy Megan Flanders!!!

More pictures and projects to come soon!!! 

Making our house into a home project continues!!

Week 2 & 3

So week two was great, back to working out 5 days a week...

Week 3 however, still working out...but can't get over new food cravings.

About 6 months ago I did a 21 day cleanse, it was amazing!! 

It jump started my metabolism and really kept me on the right track, I had no sweets cravings what so ever, until this week.  And for some reason I want SWEETS.

I did good for the first half and finally gave in an bought a star crunch. I know its not much, but I believe that if you deprive that you'll gorge, so I did track it...and was immediately surprised at how much fat one little debbie cake had.

By the way if your starting to work out or are starting a new healthy lifestyle, I recommend that you use a tracker, it really helps you just be aware.  I'm not asking you to count calories, but to track the foods you eat and your exercise...

IT REALLY HELPS

I use http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ you can do it on your computer or smart phone. 

On my IPhone, the app even allows you to scan bar codes on your food, which makes for easier tracking.

I use it to add recipes, etc. (and you get points back for working out!)

  Seriously, try it out,  you might like it!

I'm also going to Miss Georgia Forum this weekend...Seeing all these skinny minnies, might just motivate me even more to work harder before they see me again at Miss Georgia in JUNE!!

Until next time....Peace and Love

Week One...

So this week I started Zumba...Oh yeah, ZUMBA

and what prey-tell did I think?????

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!

I've been looking for that something extra to offset my running and this is PERFECT!

It works your core and really its a full body workout that is FUN, yes I said it, FUN!

The routines are a little hard to catch onto at first, but after two classes, 

I'm doing pretty good and feeling that way as well!

You are basically DANCING your weight off!

And for those that know me well, I'm a Dancing Machine!!!

(Even Though I'm not THAT great at it)

The good thing is this, I'm getting a well balanced workout each week.

Monday - Zumba

Tuesday - Running

Wednesday - Running

Thursday - Zumba

Friday - Running

Can't beat this!

I'm looking forward to next week!! I'm really gonna enjoy this!!

Back on the Bandwagon....

Time and time again, I struggle with my weight. And after several months at a standstill, I know what I have to do...Commit...fully...wholeheartedly...

Before the wedding last year, I did this...3 dresses sizes and 30 pounds later...I'm at a stand still, wondering why....why isn't anything working???

After lots of soul searching and reading a friends inspiring blog of working her way up to a half marathon, I'm ready again to do it right and not fall off this bandwagon...I'm committed to this lifestyle change.  You have to do it ALL the time, not SOME of the time. 

I mean we eat healthy most of the time, I work out 3 times a week....what's wrong with this picture?

We need to eat healthy and make those decisions the MAJORITY of the time (now I know that realistically you can't always do this...but when you have a choice, we should choose the right one)

And working out...well...when I'm working out, I have to completely do it - or I'm not getting the good stuff out of it...and lets be honest - I need to bump up my workouts per week - at least by 1 more per week.  So I've decided to continue to run 3 mornings a week - and add Zumba in 2 nights a week. Can't beat that!!!

Also, Agan has committed to doing this with me as well, we want to be healthy and live long lives with our children and their children....why not start now when we're young...when we have more time, that way its a habit by time it does happen.

I've also decided that this will be my sounding board, at least once a week, to help me be accountable for these goals...I want this...and there is no reason not to move forward to a healthier and leaner me!

My Favorite time of Year!!!

Christmas times a coming....And I have been anxiously preparing for this year's event!!

Now, since this is the first time I can actually decorate my WHOLE house (YAY) I tried to keep things in check by doing some DIY projects and just decorating the inside. (After Christmas sales will help me get the outside done for next year)

I made some Christmas ball wreaths that I just absolutely LOVE

I put up my BIG tree (not the Charlie Brown one from the trailer)

I even have a MANTLE to decorate...yes mam ladies and gentleman, a MANTLE for the stockings...

(yes I know I had Dallas's monogramed on the wrong side....

next year my dears, we can't all be perfect)

And sent out our 1st family Christmas Cards

This Christmas has definitely been a year of firsts, but I can't wait to share it with my wonderful husband, and our family and friends.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night

Update...

Yes, Yes, I know, I have been missing for a good six months and have missed writing and blogging tremendously...So here are the highlights!

I moved back to South GA in July and Agan and I bought a house in Swainsboro! 

(I know this picture is at night, but its the only one I have)

 

 

I started a new job at Hotset America as their Office Manager

I got MARRIED!!!

 Some of our best Friends also got married this year!

I'm the business manager to one of our Teen Queens - Sydney Hillman

(And can't wait to cheer her on at the Miss GA's Outstanding Teen Pageant in June)

And now we are enjoying married life and all that comes with it!

If it makes you happy....It can't be that bad?

Happiness: the quality or state of being happy; good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy. 

Truly Happy

Never have I realized how much of a blessing it is is to be truly happy.  True happiness for me is when life makes sense and everything has fallen into place like it was always meant to be.  

I am blessed to be able to experience this. I have a support system beyond belief, a man who loves and cares for me, the greatest friends, and the confidence to pursue what I believe is the right path for me.

What sucks though is that true happiness can be deceiving, there is always something...ALWAYS...that tries to ruin that happiness that you have.  It will try and break you down in ways you didn't even know existed.

 The thing to remember is, you can change it.  You have the ability to not let if effect you, to not let it break you down, or to overcome that stepping stone. YOU make the difference in YOUR life, not anything or anyone else.  YOU are the keeper of your happiness and how YOU let things effect you.

Once you have come to that realization, YOU can always...ALWAYS, be in control of your happiness.

Having just figured this out recently, has made me understand alot of things. I have always carried a load of unnecessary stress.  No longer will I let that effect my life and the way I live.

  I deserve to be happy.

As I go through all kinds of feelings and experiences in my journey through life -- delight, surprise, chagrin, dismay -- I hold this question as a guiding light: "What do I really need right now to be happy?" What I come to over and over again is that only qualities as vast and deep as love, connection and kindness will really make me happy in any sort of enduring way.

- Sharon Salzberg

Goodbyes are not forever...

As of Friday, April 1st, a year has passed since my dear cousin, Haleigh Marie Hudson, went to be with Jesus.  The past year has been one of heartache, love, acknowledgment, and understanding.

In the beginning, there was heartache: 

"Everyone is always askin me whats wrong... but i dont even think it makes any sense, its just...my heart hurts"

  Through the hurt and anger, you have to take a step back and ask yourself why your angry...basically your angry and hurt because the one you love has been taken away...Why me, why her, why us.

But we don't realize it's not about us, it's about the love...

Love: The love she gave us, the love she showed us and the love she showed others...

Once we acknowledge that love we become aware of how much her life touched us and others that came in contact with her. 

Haleigh was a special person.  A person with a loving and caring heart who loved her parents, family and friends, and didn't have a mean bone in her body.  A unique personality with awesome quirkiness that illuminated her face when she smiled.

After having to face such an overwhelming task of soul searching and trying to understand, I have come to this conclusion...

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I'll miss you
Until we meet again!
~Author Unknown

So much emotion...

Let me begin by saying that I'm sorry for not updating sooner (Planning a wedding and learning a new job take up a lot of time!) But I promise to be better!

The past month has been an emotional roller coaster for me.  Highs of excitement, lows of fear from the unknown, no matter what the issues, I have begun to realize that I mostly wear my feelings on my sleeve.  Now I'm not sure if this is necessarily a good thing...I do think that my honesty and true feelings make me the person I am, however, I often wonder if my initial feelings are to much.  I don't want my initial reaction to hinder my ultimate judgment.

When many overwhelming changes cause many mixed emotions, I feel as though after I've analyzed and recalculated - that my initial reaction was possibly the correct one and that though I try to look at it in different ways, the situation remains the same.  

After much time and consideration, I choose to not let so much effect me.  My emotions have become so overwhelming in the past month that if I continue to let them continue, I might go mad by the wedding! (And we wouldn't want that now would we!)

I guess what would benefit me the most is that I take each situation a day at a time, if something crazy happens, it might just be that I put it on the back burner for a while until I have a more appropriate time to deal and handle it. Although this may not be ideal for other parties involved, it is what works for me....and since this is my life, I choose to let positive and happy emotions be what flow through me for a while.

So here's to you feelings....bottoms up...

Engagement and New Job....WOW!!!

First and foremost, let me apologize for not posting sooner, the past weeks events have been slightly overwhelming. 

Lets being with the fact that on Janurary 21, 2011 - I was verbally offered a new position at the University of Georgia's Office of Special Events, as an office manager. Yippee!!! It is a full time position, with full benefits which will be very beneficial considering that on January 22, 2011, Agan PROPOSED!!!  We will be getting married on October 22, 2011!

Now this may come as no shock to some of you, but for the past 8 years, I have known from the beginning that Agan and I were meant to be together.  God has blessed me we a man who loves and cherishes me and with an unconditional love that most will never know.  I understand that I am so lucky and blessed to begin 2011 with such a multitude of grace and I look forward to what else God has in store for the upcoming year.

Check out the pic's below and our Wedding Website!!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AshleyFreeman&AganTankersley