Dear Month One...You are now Done!

I know I am a little late in posting this but...I am going to anyways.

It has been over a month since I dropped Joel off for him to serve his deployment. The first week was torture I said "See ya later" not knowing when that later would be, fortunately for me that would be in 6 days but I did not know that then and the first week was hard...really hard. I couldn't say Good night to end a phone call without bursting into tears, my heart ached at the thought of facing so much time apart. I gave myself that first night to cry and eat junk food and watch girly movies with friends...shortly after I joined the gym because what better way to burn off some nervous energy than at a gym. I love work outs now, I haven't been able to say that in a good couple of years, I think the fact that I have Mrs. Wienke there suffering through the work out rigmarole helps...A-LOT!

When I finally did get to see Joel the following weekend it felt like I hadn't seen him in a good three weeks. I am very lucky to have such an understanding unit that gets the fact these guys need the support and love from the families. I got to see him every weekend this first month, I have never spent so much time in a car by myself...but after all of this I feel much more confident in my road tripping abilities and had only one slightly scary run-in-with-a-homeless-man-at-a-gas-station incident. This was a really nice weening away phase because I always had to mentally prepare myself that I wouldn't see him again so when I would get that late night phone call on Thursday or Friday I was always ecstatic. We called it "bonus time" and it really helped me to think of it that way, I wasn't entitled to see my husband but I was given the opportunity so we always just made the best of whatever last minuteness things we could.

I learned a good deal about myself this first month. I tend to be an independent individual anyways, which is a trait I consider blessed to have because it makes things so much easier...I just viewed things as personal challenges that I was meant to step up and conquer. Mostly my first month conquers were things to do with the car like getting the oil changed, airing up my tires, changing the windshield wiper blades, replacing the headlights etc. I have always leaned on Joel or my dad to do these things that are car related but I am happy to report I am perfectly capable of most, all on my own! I learned I can take multiple 6 hour car trips and navigate quite nicely, I can only take partial credit though because I honestly think that John Mayer and Gavin Degraw helped me keep my sanity. There was one time I took the wrong way home...I still got home but I had to call Joel crying before doing so (no one is perfect). There were just lots of little moments where I thought this is something Joel would do, but I did it this time, and then I did a little victory dance in my head.

I also learned a lot about our marriage. Being apart isn't easy, not being able to talk for more than 5 minutes a day can make it harder. You have to be selfless, understanding, and willing to put in the hard work it takes sometimes to continue to maintain good communication. Going into a deployment with barely two months of marriage under our belt is a challenge, but I know that when we reach the other side of deployment we will have a relationship so much stronger than some that have been together years longer. I am thankful to have a partner who is determined that this experience will strengthen us and not weaken us. Yeah, every day isn't perfect but the ones that aren't you just chalk up to learning a lesson and keep on going. I love Joel more every day, and everyday I see more how God made him perfectly to fit what I needed.

I learned about God...HE IS IN CONTROL. Everyday this first month I woke up praying that God would have control over everything, I put my trust in that, and anything that tempted me to worry throughout the day I let go of because it isn't up to me. There are so very many stories I could tell you about how God has blessed us so far, He truly has His hands even in the little details of life. When you are where you know God wants you to be there is an indescribable peace that comes over you. So I am thankful that God has blessed me in so much, and thankful that I know I am where I am supposed to be.

So big milestone for little Mrs. Ashley...she can now say she's made it one...whole...month!

"Eye" Love It!

Day 28 of 730...

For those of you who aren't obsessed with Project Runway...I don't expect you to understand my obsession with Tom and Lorenzo's Blog, but it's definitely a daily read even when I don't actually have time to get on the internet I make time for my Project Rungay fix!

Today they were featuring this little number courtesy of Fabulon or something like that...just look at it



I am beginning to notice a pattern in my taste for ceramic hands that double as ring holders, eye pillowcases, glass heads and the like...this blog history is spattered with things I am like oddly drawn to, but I think it's more because it's sculptural and kind of unexpected...eyes in the back of chairs I mean really who can resist these?

Anyways now to another little tid bit, my mom recently returned home from business travels to a city that beholds an Urban Outfitters...Loves. I seriously have been known to sway family vacations in the direction of such cities with extremely selfish ambitions of visiting said Gallery of all things amazing (I have been able to partake in shopping here first hand multiple times for myself but I can never get enough). So dearest mumsy, I know that they shoo'ed you out the door because someone accidentaly left the door unlocked when showing up to work early and you didn't get to shop because it didn't actually open until your plane was set to take flight...but IF you had been able to peruse a bit longer I would like to entertain the notion that you would have brought home for me one of the following souveniers from your journey.



You could have looked at the above pictured wall hook systems and been like "That's so Ashley" because yeah, it has a function in that it holds keys and jackets, but come on. It has to make some sort of artistic statement if it's going to occupy valuable space upon my wall.

Or you might have looked at this pillow and thought perfect punch of red and it makes a statement...what more could a girl ask for in her accent pillows? Not to mention I have a solid red pillow with black headphones graphic that is desperately seeking a buddy :)

Oh, oh! If you put them next to each other on say, my grey sectional couch which I intend to someday own, it would look like Love and listening to music... which I totally do! So this pillow pairing speaks to me both stylistically and symbolically, just saying.

If all else fails I know that I KNOW you would have brought me this little eco friendly stapler...because let's face it, my eco-savyness has rubbed off on you and grown exponentally. And who doesn't like a gift that means you never have to dig around in your junk drawer for a broken bunch of refill staples, I know I do!

Pulling a Britney...really!?

Day 27 of 730...

Job Interview Update:

I go in to the store today to show them my skills of design and merchandising, this is a one hour timed test. It is also interview part 2 of 3 I believe so I am really approaching this job like survivor, if I can get them to see that I am a fun person to have around and can do a good job for their company then they HAVE TO vote me in right? Let's hope so because I really really love this place even before I knew they were hiring and it's totally a place I could work at for years and be perfectly content at, and what young professional doesn't want that?

Pulling a Britney:

For those of you who do not know I do a little babysitting job once a week for a local church along with my sister in law. We watched 4 kids under the age of 4 last night, hilarious. Until I smelled something so I asked the little darlings if anyone needed to go potty and one little one enthusiastically replied "yes! Pee PEE Peeee" something about small children (in this class at least) makes them repeat the job they intend to do or have already done when so prompted. So we head into the restroom to sit on the potty when...um NO UNDERWEAR, NO DIAPER, NO NOTHING! the mother of this child had been in a car wreck that day bless her soul and was a bit frazzled that said I had a total britney situation on my hands. Of course she already peed in her non exsistent undergarments so we got to change and all that good stuff...It was just comical and unexpected as was another kid in the class chanting Poop POOP POOOOOOOOOOp POUP poooup and then when I go to change they started giggling and kicking their feet into the Poop pooop poup pe doop. If you hold one feet in each hand you are left with zero hands to wipe toushies and change diaper with O-M-G don't get me wrong I love these kids to death and it's so fun to watch them learn and grow from week to week but I could go without all the body functions olympics...Needless to say Sara and I laughed a ton last night at the various situtations we kept finding ourselves in but thank God for Teamwork.

Golden Birthday

I celebrated my 23rd birthday on October 23rd apparently this is called a "Golden Birthday"...


Dear #23,
I hope you are as fun and eventful a year as #22 was, but you have very large shoes to fill.

I got engaged and later married the man of my dreams this past year
I graduated from a 4 year major that pushed me harder than anything I've ever come up against (at least until this deployment business came along)
I worked at my first job that paid SALARY instead of HOURLY :)
I later quit said job for a beavy of resons and during unemployment learned how to rearrange some priorites
I became independent from my parents in more ways than one
I watched friends get married and have babies
I felt like a full fledged grown up...thank you responsibility.
I gave advice to those younger than me...and felt REALLY old in doing so
I threw a dinner party (yay me!)
I traveled...

It was a hard year filled with a roller coaster of emotions and it is incredible to me to look back on what a mere year has brought and realize that I grew so much because of it.

And now to the fun stuff...PRESENTS of course

Joel is attempting to win husband of the year award and he is doing very well I am sure because he got me a Blue Tano Purse and Grey Tall Classic Uggs...YAY!

My friends are equally awesome shout out to Monica for getting me hooked on Pandora jewlery by purchasing me my charm bracelet and first charm. After years of begging my bestie hannah to paint me something (just kidding!) she did an awesome pop art black and white close up of a girls face on a huge canvas...I kind of am obsessed with huge canvases and collecting original art so perfect present award for her too.

Last but not least in more current news, I went on a job interview! Fingers crossed they call me back for the second round of interviews slated to happen end of this week or early next. I won't jinx it by spilling to much details now but if/when I get said jobbie you can be sure I will brag to you all about it.

Solitary....

Day 17 of 730...yay for double digits!

So I got in one last "bonus time" session in with my husband on saturday...it was like 14 hours and most of that he wanted to sleep but like a trooper he watched the movie 12 Rounds and took me for some ICE-CREAM (I oddly crave ice-cream when it's cold outside...and NO I AM NOT PREGNANT!)I have also mastered the art of the military goodbye hug and kiss I guess third time really is the charm because I didn't sob uncontrollably in the car after he walked off.

My Monday was the best yet since he's been gone...I don't feel like there is some raincloud over my head and I am ready to accomplish, accomplish accomplish. And speaking of accomplishments I am quite proud of myself for starting one of those pull string mowers today. All.By.Myself! Looks like all those weights in the gym are beginning to pay off in fact I bumped up my bench-press 10lbs since starting on it last week. I even worked on the good old job search a little today...watch out world Ashley is going back to work! Being unemployed for roughly two months has taught me a lot about myself and my priorities, namely that a job/career/whatever can't be your life or the thing that defines you but merely something that plays a part in it.

My Soldier is doing well thank you for all your prayers please keep them up...right now he's in a 5 minute phone call a day phase as they keep him busy for long days and nights. These times are rough on both of us, but they should slack off and I may even get some more skype dates soon...I Love you Skype and your virtual games.
Joel and I both like the games. I enjoy backgammon while Joel enjoys hangman, mainly because he googled a list of "statistically impossible to guess words in hangman". Yes, said list does indeed exist and if he has to resort to cheating to defeat me in the game well then I take that as a compliment of my skill level...

And now a confession and time to reveal the reason behind the title of the post, no I am not moping in loneliness (at the moment anyways) thanks to Hulu I have been watching a little known show called Solitary! It's totally my guilty pleasure, I love all reality shows but this takes it to a whole other level.



Below is a picture of the "pod" each contestant lives in for like a week...they never meet the people they are playing against and only communicate with a computerized voice named VAL who gives them the tasks and challenges they must compete...Most of them are played until someone gives up by pushing the red button which signifies they surrender, the problem is the people in the other pods can't see this and have NO IDEA when their competitors quit. So it's more a battle against yourself than against others. I have really enjoyed watching it because it is dramatic but not in a cat fight kind of way but more of a "Oh-my-gosh-that-dude-quit-two-hours-ago-quit-struggling-to-eat-junk-food-at-a-rapid-pace-and-give-up-too!" (Actual challenge to eat as much licorice, malt balls, donut holes in set amount of time...round, after round, after round, one girl consumed like 2800 calories of that crap!)

Basically I am addicted to this show and as an interior designer I must say the concise space is well planned spatially. That bed in the center of the room pushes up into the wall leaving them a 10 foot diameter space in which to dwell:)

Bonus Weekend with my man!

Day 14 of 730...

So I was crazy busy since I last wrote...

I was so beyond excited that I got to spend a "Bonus" weekend with Joel, plans changed every hour as to where I was driving, and where we would meet up, but finally last minute arrangements allowed him to come all the way home to me! He got in around 10:30 on Friday night and me being all anxious decided to wait to eat dinner until we could be together, at which point we were both so exhausted from our days we decided to indulge in one of Joel's favorite eateries the ever luxurious MacDonalds. Alas all my fries were crunchy not a "mushy one" (my favorites) in the bunch, but I didn't let the waste of calories ruin my fun.

We had to/ self afflicted choose to wake up early Saturday morning and surprise Joel's sister at her work for breakfast. She didn't know Joel was back in town and she's been like my cry buddy through this whole thing so I'm glad she got in some bonus hugs too. I Felt a little awkward crying in the middle of chick-fil-a but hey it was totally a touching family moment that no one else in the breakfast line was privy to, shoulda let a few more on-lookers pass us in line because we missed the 100th customer free meal by ONE! Chicken minis ain't cheap people! but they are sooo worth it, if you haven't tried them or heard buttered roll with chicken nugget in the middle and thought "gross" well hold your tongue and give them a chance because otherwise you are missing out on some magical mornings at the good old drive through window pre-stressful day to follow...I'm just saying, choose carefully.

Then we went to the football game with Stephanie and Patrick, who generously gave us their extra tickets! It is ironic that Joel grew up in a college town and never once attended an event. Me being the sports lover that I am sat out to right this matter and thus Joel attended his first ever College Football game on Saturday...could this weekend get any more awesome? Yes! our little team of underdogs WON, I totally let Joel have the credit as good-luck charm seeing as how it was his first game and all. You should know Joel was hesitant about this whole football event thing at first, in fact he actually "shushed" me for cheering to loudly in the first quarter (My response was obviously hysterical internal laughter and the thought "Oh Mr. you don't even know"). By the end of the game he warmed up to the rowdy loudness and was all up on his feet yelling at the refs clearly blind penalty calls (converted sports fan, check...)

Exhausted from our busy morning we came back home and Joel took a nap, which was more of a coma because after a week of 4 hours of sleep a night he definitely made up for lost time. I prepared his favorite dinner and probably the most complex thing I have mastered thus far into married cooking life Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo from scratch ;) Then my awesome Husband took me out for a movie I've been dying to see...

COUPLES RETREAT!!!! It is a great date movie with comedy for the sexes, I laughed a some parts, he laughed at others, and we both died during the "yoga" scene...that's all I'm going to say about it because everyone should go watch it.

Joel and I were unable to leave the country for our honeymoon because of military orders so we decided when he got back we would go someplace fun...enter the latest contender for get-away spot, none other than the filming locale for this movie... The Tahitian Island of Bora-Bora!




I know right...who wouldn't want to stay in an over-water bungalow?

Anyways last but not least, I hate to make this sooo long but I also hate to keep you in suspense about how my foray into diaper cake making....so here ya go

This was a TON of fun to make and the best part is everything on it is re-useable for when little baby arrives. This was for a little boy and we decided to do and animal theme for the shower. If you guys are really interested in it I'll dedicate a whole post to it...

Exciting News!

So after a little under a week...Like 6 days that felt more along the lines of 21 to be exact. I found out....

that....

I GET TO SEE JOEL AGAIN/TOMORROW!!!!

So in reality to most people I know you're probably like sheesh, already!? But when you say See-Ya-Later to someone and you have literally no idea when that later will be it feels like an eternity.

Me and my lonesome are headed out on the open road for a good 5-6 hours depending on how much I stretch my teeny pea sized bladder in between sketch-ville gas station breaks. I just found out a few hours ago, but now I am far to excited to sleep. Not to mention a girlfriend of mine was coming for a cheer up visit this weekend and I was slated to host a baby shower on Sunday for a girl I've been friends with since the age of 4. I am lucky that both love me enough to be understanding of my situation...out of town visitor coming again in a few weeks to help celebrate my birthday, while baby shower friend will love me to pieces once she lays eyes on the diaper cake I made for her. Since I couldn't sleep I figured it was a wise investment of three hours to knock it out tonight. Not that a diaper cake should take three hours, but lets just say old perfectionism habits die hard for a former interior design girl used to pulling all-nighters in studio because good ideas do come last minute especially on a 48hour long sugar binge and such ideas ought not be denied....It was a love hate thing really, studio that is...the diaper cake on the other hand was all love. I can't wait to show you on here, but I am not sure if she reads my blog and it'll be much cooler if it's a surprise so sorry your readership will have to wait.

In other an yet almost equally exciting news...My friends and I decided to take a step into our grown up sophistication and start not only a Book Club, but a BOOK AND WINE CLUB! Me and Steph instantly had this brilliant idea over endless cheese dip at girls night tonight and squealed with excitement (much to the pain of everyone elses ears around us I am sure)...it's going to be amazing. Each participant (most likely 4 girls to start out) will have a turn to select a book for the group to read. When we meet up to discuss the book the book selector also brings a bottle of wine (their favorite, one that compliments the mood of the book, from the same country of origin as the book, etc.)We've decided our start date will be November as we are all currently involved in our own books so stay tuned for postings on the book club or keep your eyes peeled for a new blogger friend who may start an official book club blog to review both readings and tastings.


I will go ahead and reveal our first book however The Reader by Bernhard Schlink


Sorry for the over use of exclamation points and building up anticipation of multiple future posts but life is crazy, busy, fun like that and it's just too much for one comprehensive post to handle.

Also if I fall silent for a few days on here it's cause I am spending some good ole quality snuggle time w/ my soldier, not to mention cashing in on some of those massages he promised my newly worked out aching muscles...I am pretty sure he promised thinking it'd be so long before we saw each other that he'd get the brownie points for the thought and I'd forget, or that offering one would get me to quit complaining about how I can't walk or fully extend my arms, silly man a lady never forgets a back-rub or not in my case anyways!

I'm off to attempt sleep like a kid on christmas eve...