We Gonna Party Like It's My Birthday!

OH WAIT...IT IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!

First of all, I cannot believe that I am now in my "late 20's" (lol)
I remember when I thought this was OLD...

BUT I'm a firm believer in the old saying "Your Only as Old as you Feel" and I feel YOUNG and ABLE!!

One thing that I like to do each birthday is think back on my life and look at what
I've done and how far I've come.  I am so thankful that I have such a happy and successful life.
I am truly happy with my husband (& Dallas), my family and my friends.
Last year was definitely FULL of change - I moved, started a new job, bought a house & got married.
I have had so much support and am pleasantly surprised by the
amount of love that I have felt during this entire time.

I have to say that originally I thought this day was going to be a bust. 
Agan has been in training in Tallahassee all week and I've been bummed about spending my alone. HOWEVER, I have done anything but be alone.
I woke up to a TON of Facebook messages, cards, text, phone call and videos from all of my friends and family.  Agan also gets extra bonus points for having flowers delivered to me today.
All the little extras from my friends have been great :) I love getting random Happy Birthday surprises and I have to say that I greatly appreciate everything everyone has done to make my day special and I could not have asked for a better Birthday!!  THANKS EVERYONE - I LOVE YOU!!!

So as the day draws to a close, I can only hope that next year is as fruitful and fulfilling as this past year and I can't wait to see what's in store! As for the rest of the night, Dallas and I are gonna kick back with good glass of wine and trashy reality TV!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

They Grow Up So Fast

This past weekend was my baby bro's first prom.

Now I'm not trying to be all mushy, gushy...BUT, when your 11 years a part 

and remember EVERY MAJOR MILESTONE.

 His first crawl, his first steps...I basically took him with me 

everywhere when I started driving...It's hard not to.

I remember this sweet little boy and now he growing into such a handsome young man.

He would actually kill me if he knew I was blogging about him (but I don't care - I can still whip'em)

So below are some pictures (Of course I was that overly obsessive 

big sister who wanted to capture EVERY MOMENT) haha

ENJOY

It's A New Dawn, A New Day, A New Blog...And I'm feeling Good

Sent I've been absent for the past couple months, I decided to do a catch up post.

I swear this has to be the last one, I sincerely miss blogging when I'm not doing it...

So 1st things first... 

 

 Miss Georgia Forum with My Queens

Then I was sick with the flu for a week...

I'm not going to post any pics of that for fear of scaring someone

Then Miss Cayley Byrd's Pageant : Hair and Makeup by me...and Miss Priss placed 3rd!!

Then I got to stop in Callahan and Yulee and see some of my favorite kids! 

(and their parents of course)

This is Hunter and Baby Bentlee (Michael is missing :( )

 And Taylor and Elin

Then I headed to Orlando for the week for my 1st Trade Show with Hotset

I must say that this was such a great experience. I gained some much more knowledge 

for what I do and the products that we sell...HOWEVER...

My hotel was right across the street from SeaWorld's water park...and I didn't get to go!! 

Oh yeah...well, just goes to show you that the real working world sucks...haha

Next was Easter and I got to spend plenty of time with this sweet girl!!

 On the weight loss frontier...No pounds...But I have lost 5 more inches all over!!

 So I can't really complain :)

I gearing up for the Knotty Pine 5K the first weekend in May and super stoked about it!

I have to say that I am also out of those winter blues and full on into Summer FUN!!

I can't wait for beach time, pool time...well really any time that involves water and sun!

I also need to give a shout out to my little sis ...She is one of the opening acts for Justin Moore!!!  Way to go girl!! Can't wait to cheer her on!!!

Well this post is a little long..stay tuned to more Spring and Summer Fun...Plus My thoughts and opinions on tons of other things happening...

Have a great day!!

 

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