Tuesday, January 29, 2013

{Acts of Kindess}

So, I got a package today. It's a pacakge that I was really, really excited about. You see, a while back a friend of mine was a victim of a random act of kindess. As a result, she chose to pass it on, and made me a pair of mittens, with colors of my choice, because she could, and because she felt that she needed to share that kindness with others.
 
Well, I can't knit... i can't sew, I can't trust myself to craft anything of worth for another. But I can bake! So let's have a edibly sweet giveaway, shall we?
 
It's pretty simple. Leave a comment letting me know your favorite cookie (and if you absolutely hate cookies, you're favorite baked good), for one entry, and if you follow the blog, or are already following the blog, you can get a second. This giveaway will end February 2nd at midnight!
 
*Sorry Expat friends, USA only*
 
Well, What are you waiting for!?
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

-Ashley

Sunday, January 27, 2013

{Changes}

Changes have been a common theme in our lives. I suppose it's one of those things that connects people together.

Jeff took a job this week. The events leading up to it are complicated, and honestly going into detail right now would lead to saying some particularly unkind things toward another, and I don't believe putting those kind of things in writing out of anger... so, suffice it to say, it's a long story.

This job is out of state, and involves three weeks of "training"... unpaid... so to speak. He'll get a signing bonus after, which is great, but in the mean time, we just aren't going to be able to make ends meet. So, this weekend was spent packing up our apartment so that I can move things into a storage unit for the next month or so, until we're settled into where we were already planning on moving (another story for another time).

It's another bittersweet move. Jeff will be gone for three to six weeks, I'll have to handle a lot of things on my own, and not to get overly mushy, I'm going to miss the big guy. But, he'll have a steady job, making decent money, and we'll be able to continue to save up for future plans.

If a new job, packing and moving weren't enough, Jeff also had one more surprise up his sleeve. Part anniversary gift, part companion in his absense, part "I'm tired of saying no", lead him to show up at my office with an adorable striped, spotted and very sweet gift.

 Introducing: Cooper.
Super affectionate, energetic, but a fantastic couch buddy. Prefers balls above all other forms of entertainment. Conquered "Sit" in ten minutes. Has a stubborn streak, but generally is eager to please. Loves to lean, suck up any and all affection offered, rarely barks but audibly grumbles when he isn't acknowledged. Beautiful amber eyes, the brindled body of a boston terrier, mottled with the spots and head of a blue heeler. All in all, one adorable and fantastic almost full grown pup.  I'm smitten.
 
 

-Ashley

Monday, January 21, 2013

{What's for Lunch?}

I've never been a good "New Years Resolution" type of person. I know myself well enough to know that I'd never hold myself accountable. That's right, even myself knows I'm lazy. It's a character flaw... I'm working on it.

Still, Jeff and I had a really good series of conversations ( coincidentally around the new years) about changing some of our habits regarding food. I had done really well in the year before I met him doing something similar, and got comfortable with old habits and stopped pushing myself. I've never been a fan of diets, and know that I can't trick myself into justifying a three month anything diet just to drop a few pounds that I'd never notice anyway. And while I don't enjoy being fat, I don't have the insecurities of self image that I assume drives people to jump from fad diet to fad diet. My ( and Jeff's) desires lay with wanting to feel better, have more energy, and eat BETTER food, on a regular basis. I want a lifestyle change, not a diet. I want to make changes to habits that will be long lasting and sustainable, and changes that can be integrated into our lives easily instead of counter-intuitively.

So, I'm starting easy. No more soda ( I got too addicted to it in China, where it was cheaper to drink than water), controlled portions, learning to listen to my body, and partake of more wholesome foods whenever possible. And lastly, to make eating intentional, and not emotional.

Diet coke was the hardest thing to kick, so far. It took me a good week to get it out of my system, and there were a couple of days were the cravings and withdrawal were mean nasty elements to deal with. I bought a waterbottle that I love to help prompt me to drink more water. It's glass with a silicone wrap, so the water stays colder, and doesn't have that weird taste that it gets in a plastic waterbottle( Jeff claims I'm crazy and there's no such thing, back me up!). It has markers on the sides that measure ml and oz, which gives me a visual marker and goal to drink so much water each hour. It makes drinking the recommended 64 oz of water a day a lot more manageable.

I got a lunch box that has the perfect portion sized containers, so each day I pack food that I can break down and eat smaller amounts throughout the day instead of bigger meals three times a day. So far, I've liked this a lot better, I don't feel as many cravings, and I don't feel bloated or tired like I did when I ate big lunches. It's also forced me to be more intentional with what I choose to eat, which has helped me make better choices.




Today's "lunch?"
*Top to bottom, left to right*
Peach flavored apple chips, sour cream and onion bunnies
Strawberries
Grilled brie and avocado sandwiches  

 Yum!

-Ashley

Thursday, January 17, 2013

{On the Move}

Little Miss Sunshine's travel route this week.




I have been all over the state this month, but no more so than this week. It's part of my job, and I love driving, and getting out of the office setting and meeting people, but in doing so this week and will be every month, I've come to the conclusion that I need new music. Badly. 

I need recommendations. What do you like to listen to? What keeps you awake in the car when you hit that wall of "man this moment right here would be perfect for a nap" sleepiness?

I'm eclectic, and love to listen to music across genres, but do particularly well with the indi folk genre. Preferably something positive and upbeat, but I'm not opposed to something sappy or pensive mixed in. 

and.....Go! 


Friday, January 11, 2013

{Kentucky Love}

It's been a heck of a week. I've quite frankly been a sourpuss . This week's therapy has been drives through the countryside of Kentucky. Man I love it here.
-Ashley


Monday, January 7, 2013

{Clear Head,Clear Skies}

Sometimes, when you're having a rotten day, the best thing you can do is ditch the rest of it, have lunch with your dad, and go for a long drive in the country.


I'm happily married to my best friend, and I love having him to turn to in all situations. Still, some days are just made for being a daddy's girl. Jeff rolls his eyes and calls me a princess. I call myself lucky.


-{Princess}Ashley