Random tidbits

I have been going through another one of those phases where almost all of my posts are link-ups, so now its time to wrap up all the little tidbits of my life into one random blog.

First, let me tell you about my FAIL moment.
Have you ever seen the show Cupcake Wars? Well I came across a picture on facebook saying that they were looking for military bakers, and I decided to go out on a limb and enter. Soo, I put in all this effort into making these cute little sailor hats out of gumpaste to top cupcakes, got all dressed up for pictures, and totally wrote the most kick-ass entry, and then.... I get an email saying, "Casting is now closed for season 3." Smack. in. the. face.


I'm still proud of these little guys

 I think this is a good time to mention that I started another blog- The USS Cupcake as a portfolio for all of my baking endeavors.

transition- I'm thinking of starting an etsy shop. I would sell fondant and gum paste cake toppers, like the one above. And then maybe when I get my sewing machine from home I could expand with other items.. I'm thinking that since I don't have a job right now, it would be perfect timing. What do you think?

Speaking of jobs, I applied to 7 more this week (some were ones I had already applied to, but this time went into the store). I wish I knew how many places I have applied to so far.. I'm thinking 50+. This economy sucks. I think I will just say that out loud, since I'm sure everyone is thinking it, lol.

One more day until the weekend!

Wee bit of me

{one} if you won a trip to Disneyland/world, who would you take with you?

Chris of course. Actually, we just discussed this- as soon as we have some things payed off and enough money saved for the wedding, we are going to save for a trip to Disneyland!

{two} when was the last time you listened to a CD?
A few weeks ago.. Chris bought a cd of some band I don't particularly like (which doesn't play on the radio).

{three} what spice/seasoning is your favorite?
Cinnamon and basil. I always double them in recipes!

{four} if you were in a band, what kind of music would you play?
Indie or country, haha.

{five} if you could have personally witnessed one historical event, which one would it be?
When Secretariat won the triple crown, hands down!

{six} if you could go back to school, what would you study?
I wish I had an answer for this... I have about 6 things I am considering.. and I only have a few months to decide!

{seven} if you could go to one sporting event, all expenses paid, which one would you see?
The Kentucky Derby : )

{eight} do you drive an automatic or a manual?
An automatic. My dad almost bought me a manual, and ever since then I have been wanting to learn how to drive a stick!

{nine} are you comfortable speaking in front of people?
Nope. I took a class in high school where I had to teach a lesson every other week, so that helped a little, but I think I'm back to where I was before that.

{ten} have you ever experienced an earthquake?
Not that I remember. My mom told me I slept through an earthquake once when I was younger, lol.


Wednesday Wishes (20)

I love Wednesday Wishes. I get to put together everything that I have drooled over for the past week!

Love much heirloom necklace. I would love a necklace with mine and Chris' names on it, and this one is just adorable.

one

Nude Pumps. Wait, I just ordered these : )

two

Pride and Prejudice. After two years of barely-having-enough-time-to-sleep-because-I-am-so-busy, I have rediscoverd my love for reading the past few months. And I would love to buy all the Penguin Classic editions because they are just gorgeous.

three

Anniversary weekend

On Sunday, my hubby and I will celebrate our one year wedding anniversary.
wow.
It's already been one year?

We are not just having an anniversary day, but an anniversary weekend!
Today we are going to relax.. I think Chris is ready to fall asleep climbing up the stairs to our apartment because he hasn't been able to catch up on sleep in two weeks. In our house, relaxing means watching the first season of Friday Night Lights and playing Marvel Ultimate Alliance for wii.

Saturday we are taking our furbaby to the woof walk! He doesn't get to be around other dogs very often, and when we do see other dogs running around, he barks like crazy, so I'm hoping that this will be a good experience for him... maybe make him more comfortable around other dogs.
Then we are going shopping! wooh! We decided that since we got each other surprise gifts last month for Valentines Day, we are just going to go shopping together. Fine with me!

Sunday is the big day.. We bought a bunch of gift cards from restaurant.com last month, and we are going to the Boathouse Restaurant. Chris loves going to really nice restaurants, and I love getting dressed up to go haha.

I'm feel so blessed that I have gotten to spend the last year, and will get to spend the rest of my life, married to the love of my life.

Top 2 Tuesday: Dream Rooms

This weeks Top 2 Tuesday is dream rooms! Its so hard for me to only choose two! But I will do it!
I love everything old-fashioned. For lack of better words, my husband once told me I was an "old lady." "What??" I asked, feeling offended and thinking he was calling me boring.
"I mean.. It's like you were meant to grow up in the fifties or something."
Maybe 'old soul' is a better description? Being the Sally-home-maker that I am, I want my love of retro and vintage to showcase in my house (well, my future dream house). My problem is- retro and vintage are not the same things... and I like both of them for different rooms of the house. What a dilemma.. You wouldn't believe how much I stressed over the flow of the color scheme in our apartment, and now this? Oh boy.

And now I present... My top two dream rooms!

1) A totally retro kitchen in red and blue.

Just take away the checkered floor and add red accessories. At the moment, everything in our kitchen is already red, except the coffee pot and microwave (why does everything have to be so much more expensive when its red?) including a retro napkin holder that Chris got me... That may be my favorite part of the kitchen. haha

2) An all white vintage bedroom

How relaxing would it be to wake up to that every morning? I love dark wood furniture- everything that we have bought for the apartment is oak.. But I think that white in the bedroom is so tranquil. I love so much about this room- the distressed wood framed mirrors, the chandelier, the lamps. So pretty!

My experience with an ovarian cyst

I went to the doctor Thursday for my ovarian cyst, and I have surgery scheduled for next month.

Manyy women get ovarian cysts, and most of them don't know it or have minimal signs. But sometimes, like in my case, they cause intense pain. It has been about an 8 month journey into discovering mine:

I began taking the pill in June. In August my cramps got really bad- to the point where I was rolling in bed crying, squeezing Chris' hand every few minutes. I had always had bad cramps, but never this clenching feeling that came and went.
Over the next few months, I occasionally experienced this stabbing pain in my lower stomach that would hit suddenly and make me double over, but would be gone in a matter of seconds. Once it woke me up in the morning, and for the next few minutes it felt like someone was putting a knife in my stomach every time I tried to sit up. Chris asked me to go to the doctor, but I always said 'next time it happens I will.'
In December, my husband and I had tickets to go back home for Christmas. The night before our flight, I had a constant ache in my lower right stomach that lasted the whole night. Chris decided it was time that I go to the hospital, and we went at 3:30 that morning. The doctors thought that it could either be appendicitis or gas (come on, really) and decided to do an ultrasound. After about 45 minutes, the tech was done taking pictures and went to show the head doctor. A few minutes later, he came back in and said the doctor wanted a few MORE pictures, and then told me the doctor would be in to tell me what he found. The doctor tells me they found a cyst on the OPPOSITE side of the pain, and the cause of the pain on the right side was blood leaking out. After giving me pain meds, they send me home and tell me to come back in 2 cycles. (And we made our flight!)
During those two months, the pain got worse. The 'crampy' feeling starts about 5 days before my period and lasts about 5 days after. Not to mention how intense my cramps are.. I have to be drugged up for almost a week. I had a sharp pain when I lied on my left side, like something heavy was pushing down and pinching my other ovary. I went to the doctor and had to wait for a referral from tricare.. One more unbearable cycle... A few days after I get scheduled for an appointment, I get the stabbing pain that I haven't felt in a while, but this time it lasted almost two hours.
After a month of waiting, I went to my appointment. They did an ultrasound, found that the cyst was still about 8cm, without any fluid leaking. The doctor showed me everything on the screen as she was doing the ultrasound, and it was pretty surprising.. My cyst is as big as my bladder. I can barely see my right ovary because it is so small, but I can't see my left ovary at all because my cyst, which is about 4 times the size of it, blocks the whole thing.
After consulting with the staff doctor, they decided that surgery would be the best option. I don't HAVE to choose surgery, but if I have to take vicodin for the pain then I shouldn't wait any longer. Plus, if the cyst burts on its own, I will have really intense pain for a long time while all the fluid flushes out, and theres nothing they can do about it. I'm nervous, but the surgery is laproscopic, and after a month I will be my normal self (and be able to run and work out again!). After the exam Thursday, it hurts to walk or sit up. That just reminds me that things are getting worse and that surgery is the best option.
I know that was pretty lengthy, but believe me, I left out some not so pleasant details for your sake. Who knows, maybe one of you have had a similar experience?

Update

I revamped my blog! I was never really happy with the previous title or layout, but I couldn't find any inspiration to change it. So now, my blog is titled Love and Lighthouses, and its here to stay. The layout, on the other hand, is temporary until I can get a custom one.
Why the title you ask?

My blog used to be called Ashley, the Little Navy Wife. It was fitting.. My nickname has always been 'Little Ashley," and I am a a navy wife. I guess it just wasn't creative or catchy enough for me. I wanted something to do with the Navy.. Although it doesn't define WHO I am, it does have everything to do with WHERE I am. I am proud to be a Navy wife, and I am proud to say that I am married to and living with the love of my life right now because of the military.

So that's where Love and Lighthouses comes into play.

Love because I am a firm believer that, "There is only one happiness in life; to love and be loved."

and

Lighthouses because way back when, they signaled to sailors that land was near. They are a symbol of strength and home, and I always want to be that for my husband.

What do you think?

milspouse friday fill-in #34

What are some of your ideas for staying connected with family…you know, those people we moved thousands of miles away from? submitted by Live it. Love it (or not). Write About It.
I think the best and most simplest idea is to talk on the phone. My mom is not very computer savvy, so I have to talk to her on the phone if I want to keep her up to date. Although its easier to shoot my friends a text asking how they have been, its a lot more personal to make a phone call.

What’s the most romantic gift you have GIVEN? submitted by Painting My Canvas
Cards. I was cleaning out a box the other day and found a bag that my hubby keeps all the letters he got in bootcamp, and cards I have given him before/after. I think writing your love for someone is so romantic.. its something you can look back on in 20 years.

Would you encourage your child, if they came to you and wanted to join the military? submitted by Perfectly Imperfect
I think I would have mixed emotions. I would be proud of them for wanting to follow in their father's (and grandfathers) footsteps and for supporting their country, but I would be worried because it is such a hard life. Come back to me in 15 years!

What is your least favorite bill to pay and why? submitted by A Little of This, A Little of That
Its not exactly a 'bill,' but the hubby and I both agree pumping gas is the worst. When we both used to work for barely over minimum wage, it was like saying goodbye to an hour of work every few seconds when the screen would read $8.. $16.. We may have a bigger salary now, but gas gets more expensive every. single. day.

What is the proudest moment you’ve had as a military spouse? submitted by Our Okinawa Life
I would have to say the time my hubby took emergency leave to come home for my grandfathers funeral. He wore his uniform to the funeral, and I was so proud of him for honoring my grandfather in that way.

Speaking of friends..

.. I got to see mine this week!
One friend, Maddisen, was up here with her boyfriend taking a vaca for Spring Break. They stayed with me on their last night, and Maddisen and I went out to breakfast the next morning.
On Monday, my best friend Katey came up and stayed two nights. We went to the beach the first two days, and lied out in our bikinis, even though it was a little chilly on the beach. We made sushi the first night she was here, and a 'friendship cake' the second night.
It was so nice to have girlfriends around. I love that I consider my husband my best friend, but when I find myself talking to him about mascara and eye cream, I know I need some girl time.

I have a doctors appointment today; a second ultrasound for my ovarian cyst. Luckily, my hubby is getting off work early to go with me.. The procedure is awkward and painful, so its nice to have him their with me. I am hoping for good news.. I don't know what that news is, but I just don't want to hear, "Come back in two months, and we will do this again." Ugh.

By the way, Happy St. Patty's day! I am making an Irish dinner tonight; I'm a little nervous. My grandfather on my dad's side moved here from Ireland, so I'm celebrating my roots today!

Its hard to make friends, especially as a milspouse

I'm guest blogging over at Confessions of a Sailor's Wife today!
Happy Sunday!

Milspouse Friday Fill-In #33

1. During military separations (whether short or long) how do you keep yourself positive and motivated? submitted by Married/Single Parent
This one is hard because I know I don't handle it as well as I should. When Chris was at boot camp I had times when I was a complete baby, but luckily I had school and work to keep my superr busy. The same went for A-school, but I had to talk to him every night no matter how much I had to do. The last long underway was the worst.. I seriously checked my email every hour. It was bad.

2. What is your favorite concert you have ever been to? submitted by Young but Not (Completely) Dumb
Hmm. I would have to say the Never Shout Never that the hubby and I went to last year because it was my first time going to a small concert, and also because we had such a fun time trying to find the place and then get home. But I am dying to go to another country concert.. we are hoping for the Zac Brown Band!

3. What do you miss most about your “hometown”? submitted by A Florida Girl and Her Soldier
My friends and family. I am so close with my mom, and my sister just had a baby so its hard being away from them. Also, I have a difficult time making friends.. I don't know if its because I set really high standards or because I just don't get along with girls, but my two best friends are girls from high school. The whole year I was at UofA, I didn't make a single new girlfriend, but I made quite a few guy friends. I know that my hubby totally understands because that's how I was when we met, but I don't want to give him any reason to worry.

4. If you could run in any race, which charity would you choose to support? submitted by Wookie & Co.
Well the hubby and I switch which charity we donate to every year, and next year is the ASPCA, so thats what I am going to have to choose!

5. You find out Willy Wonka is your father, what 3 course meal do you INSIST he create in that stick of gum? submitted by A{muse}ing Mommy on a Pink Park Bench
If I found out Willy Wonka was my father, I would be ECSTATIC. I think the first course would be cheddar broccoli soup, then chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and bread. Last course, pumpkin pie! I so wish Willy Wonka was my father.
link up with wife of a sailor if you would like to join!

Meet Jack

Meet Jack, Our one year old, 5 pound chion:

Chris and I weren't planning on getting a dog for a while, but he just kind of fell into our lap. Last year, my sister bought a chion from the puppy store. He was sweet and cuddly... until he got a little bigger, a little louder, and a little more rambunctious. He was also never housetrained, and got into fights with my mom's dog (who was living with her at the time) almost every day. So when my sister got pregnant, she really couldn't handle him anymore, and she asked us to take him 'for a little while.'

Well since then, Jack is a new dog. It took us less than two weeks, and only 3 accidents to potty train him.. That was a huge deal because he had ruined my sisters carpet, and ours is brand new! But also because he got away with it for a whole year, and we did it in 2 weeks! We spoil him with attention and love. Before, he wouldn't stay in your lap for more than a second. Now, he crawls in our laps all the time, wants us to pet him for hours on end, and even sleeps there. The first time he slept in my lap I was so happy I didn't move until he woke up, even though I was planning to get up right before he fell asleep.

My sister and I haven't talked about what we are going to do with little Jack, but I know one thing: if he could talk, he would call chris and I, "mommy and daddy!"

Wednesday Wishes: DIY edition

I'm wishing that I will actually be able to make my own wedding cake:

source



I'm wishing that I had the vision to refinish some old vintage chairs:

source




I'm wishing that we had more decorating done in our apartment, like this wall decal over our bed:

source

Top 2 Tuesday- relationships

I love these linky's! I know I already post in a million others, but heres another one to add to the list!

Top 2 Things you have learned about relationships

1) They take work. Everything is not always perfect.. Sometimes you won't like each other.. But you have to remember the love that you have for each other, and put in an effort to make your relationship last.

2) Never go to bed angry. This one is hard for me- when I get really upset, and I am tired of fighting, my defense is "I just want to go to sleep." Its something I did when I was younger, but now that I'm older it doesn't quite work, and I either lay in bed getting more upset or wake up that way. Luckily, the hubby always makes an effort to remind me of that!

After writing this, I looked at a couple of other blogs before posting mine.. and everyone has really similar answers! I guess that just means they are really essential to a happy relationship!

Heres us at our going away party last summer!

So excited for next week!

I may not get a spring break myself, but that doesn't mean I can't be excited that my friends do. Especially when they come to visit me on their break.
My two best friends and my college roomie are coming down next Sunday- Wednesday. They aren't coming together, it just so happened that all three of them chose almost the same days. I'm so excited, I miss my friends dearly!
A few years ago, Katey (one of my friends who is coming to visit!) and I went to Cali together on a trip with our high school cross country team, and for a few weeks before, whenever we saw each other we would yell bikinis! So that has started again.
I'm also excited to show off our apartment, which I love. It is nowhere near being done, unfortunately (hey- we are super young newlyweds living off one income!), but I am still proud of what we have. You know what, I think that's worthy of another blog, hah.
So, next week there will probably not be much blogging since I will be busy being a hostess, but I will catch you all up when I can. I'm also having my second ultrasound for my ovarian cyst on Thursday after everyone leaves, so please keep me in your thoughts!

Milspouse friday fill-in

1.Do you or your {spouse} ever wish your {spouse} was in a different branch of the military? submitted by The Turner Family
No, we are a Navy family and proud of it!

2.What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why? submitted by Every Branch
Honestly, I don't want to be anywhere other than where we are now. Whats better than Cali? Beautiful weather, beaches, and only 6  hours from back home. I would have enjoyed going somewhere like Germany for our first duty station, but by the time the hubby gets his new orders we will be talking about having babies, and I am going to want to be near family. That being said, I would follow my hubby to the end of the world.

3.If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why? submitted by Three Krakens
If you would have asked me a few years ago, I probably would have had a for-sure age. But now I'm not sure... 21 sounds young and fun... but I also want babies, and we don't have plans for that for a few years!

4.If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be? submitted by the C.W.
I would have to say cinnamon life. Good-for-you life with a little bit of spice!

5.What is your morning beverage of choice and why? submitted by NH Girl Displayed
Coffee. I have to start my mornings with it.. I'm addicted to caffeine. If I don't have it, I get a headache. Lets not even talk about that certain time of month when caffeine intensifies my cramps, and I'm not allowed to have it.

If you want to join in, head on over to wife of a sailor!

Show me your rings!

I saw another blogger posting this, and I just had to jump in!
Mrs. Yellow Ribbon is hosting a new weekly link up called "show me your.." and this week is rings!



I had to take a picture right before I posted!



Did you look at rings together?

Yes and no. I think this needs some explaining.. Chris and I had talked about getting married before he left for boot camp, but decided against it since we would only have been together for 7 months. I still hoped he would ask before he left, but I think I confused him and instead he gave me a promise ring, and it just so happened that promise ring was a wedding band. At graduation, he proposed by taking off my ring 'since he hadn't gotten a chance to look at it since it was sized" and then asking with the same ring. We got married in a courthouse a month later, and planned to get my diamond ring when we had our ceremony back home. When the ceremony date got postponed, Chris made a deal with me to get a smaller ring now so I would at least have a diamond on my finger, and one day he will get me my 'dream ring.' So yes- I got to pick out one of my rings! 

Do you like your ring? Did you from the very beginning?...and be honest!
Yes, I love it! I have really small hands so the diamonds are not overpowering. Plus, I couldn't decide whether I wanted a princess cut three-diamond ring or a circle diamond with smaller ones surrounding it, so now I get one and then the other later!

How often do you wear your rings?
All the time. I take it off to wash dishes, shower, and sometimes to cook/bake. I used to take it off at the gym, but I got these awesome gloves that protect my rings and hands (and make me look pretty BA).

Do you clean your rings?
Nooo, but I guess I should. Just every couple months to the jeweler.

What went through your mind the very first time you saw your ring?
Well, when I got my promise ring (wedding ring to be lol), I thought wow! Then I thought... what does this mean? I didn't know if it was a promise ring or if he was using it as an engagement ring!

We did the rings backwards, but I wouldn't have it any other way because now I will always have the ring that he proposed to me with, and I get to upgrade my other one!

What I'm loving Wednesday!

I have seen a couple bloggers do this, so I think I'm ready to join in on the fun!

1. I'm loving that I have 12 followers! I go on all these blogs and see people with 300+ followers, and I get so discouraged since I have had my blog for a couple months. Everyone has to start somewhere though!

2. I'm loving pain pills since its that time of the month! Vicodin is the only thing that works, and I am so grateful for it!

3. I'm loving that my hubby just called to say that he was off work and will be on his way home right after PRT!

4. I'm loving that the hubby and I started reading The 5 Love Languages together and are really starting to work on our relationship.

What I'm not loving- the fact that I have to get up and clean the house right now.

Branch competition and overlapping

My hubby just called on his lunch break.
He told me that his division found out today that one of the second classes will be sent to Afghanistan for a year. They find out in an hour who it is.
Thank god my husband is just a measly ole seaman still. When we signed up for this, I thought deployments meant being out to sea. Sure, they can range anywhere between a few days and a year, constantly get extended, and are still dangerous. But that's what I prepared myself for. I didn't prepare myself to send my loved one to Afghanistan. I couldn't imagine only having a few hours notice. I know what it feels like to have a days notice, but again, that was what I had prepared myself for as a navy family.

That leads me to this: If I ever hear one more person say anything about the Navy being the least important of the branches, I may just smack them in the face. No branch is more or less vital than the other. That's why we have the different branches- we need them all.
One of my best friends has a boyfriend who I extremely dislike. I try my best to be civil, because I know what it's like to have to choose between your friends and your man. When Chris and I went back home for Christmas last year, I invited them to our party. Things were alright, until we started talking about the military somehow, and he said something to the extent of, "The Navy doesn't really do anything anyway." I looked right at him and said, "what did you say?" He continued to talk about how the Navy has it easy, and they are never in danger. Seriously? You come into my family's home and tell me that my husband is less of a soldier than someone in another branch? It took all my strength not to snap at him. Instead, I calmly told him reasons why he was foolish. When I started to get angry, I walked away. Alcohol and anger don't mix.

I'm not exactly sure what I said to him that night, but I know it consisted of this:
Oh really? Well did you know..
The Navy is often the first ones deployed during a crisis.
In fact, we know someone who was on the first ship to be called on when 9/11 occurred.
My husband's ship has done things in missions that I am not allowed to tell you.
Army and marines are not the only ones who get sent overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan.. Plenty of sailors get sent there also.

If you don't know what your talking about, don't open your mouth. I will continue to be proud of my husband for serving his country, while you sit at your day job and take for granted that you have the right to say those things.