Friday's Letters

Frocking ceremony in November

Dear Friday, I can finally be one of those people who say, "Dear Friday, thank goodness you're here!" because I'm back at work and this Friday means no work for 4 days!

Dear Jack, I'm sorry that you have to be home alone while mommy's at work once again. I wish I could take you with me, but I don't think the customers would appreciate your constant yapping, let alone your hair that finds it way into everything.
Dear Baby Caden, you are starting to put so much pressure on mommy's ribs, and you still have so much more to grow!
Dear neighbors, why oh why must you stomp your feet to walk up the stairs? This annoys the crapppp out of me.
Dear hubby, this week was your 21st birthday, and you got to celebrate it by making a 5 minute phone call to me in between working your ass off and getting very little sleep. I'm so very proud of everything you have accomplished in the past year, including making 3rd class, receiving a NAM (actually, I think two.. thats how difficult your awards are to keep track of), and sailor of the year. Oh, and doing your part in making a baby! : )

Baby Shower

Last weekend I had my baby shower.  While my mom and sister were the hosts, I did most of the party planning and decorating because thats just how I roll : ) I decided on a cowboy shower, since Baby Caden's nursery is going to Woody from Toy Story themed (Hubby loves Toy Story haha).

Heres some of the pictures of the tablescape I did:

Dessert and Snack table



'place cards' I set in front of the different areas

'Caden's Candy Favors'

Fondant 'Sheriff Woody' cake

I had a lot of fun getting ready for this party! Last year I was seriously considering being a party planner before I decided to go back to school for business, so this really brought back those feelings. I also had a lot of fun decorating the cake, and I think it is my best one so far!

Friday's Letters

Dear Walmart, thank you for providing a $3 woody-esque onsie after I spent $20 on the real thing at the disney store. Dear California Weather, thank you for being so pleasant! You are a warm welcome after being in a 115 degree oven for the past few months. Dear Obnoxious Neighbors, thank you for letting your kids (or hopefully your friend's or family's kids) run up and down the outside hallway yesterday. Let's just say your lucky that my baby is still in my belly and not affected by those things yet. Dear Man Sitting Outside Last Night, thank you for making me laugh by telling your dog about a cocker spaniel who chased a cat. I thought for sure you were on a blue tooth, and then I realized the story was definately meant for your dog. Dear Husband, thank you for missing me as much as I miss you.

San Diego!

I am now living in my new apartment! Sunday night (after watching Big Brother) we made the drive to San Diego.. I drove my car, and my sister followed in her car with my mom and nephew. Let me just say, road trips are not fun when your pregnant! We stopped 4 or 5 times so I could pee, when normally I maybe make one stop. Baby Caden does not like the seat belt AT ALL, so I kept having braxton hicks contractions that made me really really really have to pee! That may be TMI, but pregnancy throws TMI out the window, so welcome to prego world. Anywayy, I have lots and lots of boxes to unpack (mostly kitchen stuff) and lots and lots of time to do it before the hubby comes home. I'm not posting any pictures because the place is a mess, but once everything is decorated I will. In our last apartment, we never took the time to decorate, so we are very excited to make this one a home!

Friday's Letters

shirt: Robins Nest Maternity pants: Fashion Q (I can't read the brand but they have an elastic waist like maternity jeans!) shoes: Dollhouse

Dear Baby Caden, You have been so active lately! I don't think I will ever get used to feeling your kicks, punches, and twists! Dear father-of-my-child, I wish wish wish wish you could feel these movements so bad, but we are lucky that you were here when he first started getting strong enough to let us feel him. I remember when you started to get upset that you wouldn't ever feel him kick before you left, and Caden kicked your arm so hard we both jumped! I wish someone would have got our reactions on camera. Dear body, on Sunday night we are going to make the 6 hour drive back to San Diego and move into our new apartment. Please don't get too mad at me. Dear Jack, please do not pee in our new apartment!!! You don't need to mark your territory, no one will try to take it from you! Dear husband, these underways are really taking their toll on our relationship, but at least we recognize it an are willing to work on us. I miss you.

Chin Up Butter Cup

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I have been needing this reminder lately, and I bet someone out there needs the same reminder, so I thought I would pass it on!

Friday's Letters

Dear Arizona heat, you are brutal, especially on a pregnant woman. Dear downstairs neighbors, you don't deserve your puppy. Seriously, who leaves their 2 pound dog outside in a bare kennel in the Arizona heat? I am so tempted to steal him.. He is tiny enough to fit in Jack's padded kennel with him! Dear Jack, I know you already have to deal with the idea of sharing mommy and daddy with a new baby, but would you mind also sharing with a new puppy? I know, I know, your answer is "Are you crazy?!" Dear husband, I'm so jealous that you are in Hawaii again, but I'm glad that you are being so adventurous. And plus, its greattt to get to talk and text every day instead of occasional emails!

My hubby's view from the ship last night

Announcement

Hi there blogger world. I have a perfectly good explanation about why I have been MIA, and the first of which is a big, exciting announcement..

I'm expecting!!

I'm more than expecting, I'm 22 weeks prego with a lively baby boy. So, why did I take so long to share the amazing news? Well, I planned from the beginning to wait until after the first trimester to tell the world, because of the high miscarriage rates until that point. At my first appointment, I was at a higher rate for miscarriage because of a hemmorhage on my uterus and didn't get the okay that it had cleared until after the first trimester mark, and by that time my husband was coming home in a few weeks so I decided to hold it in a little longer so we could share the news together. Hubby came home over a month ago, we told our friends (I couldn't hide it from family), and posted our announcement on facebook. Since my hubby was home for less than a month weeks in between underways, I forgot about the rest of the world and focused only on us. Our crazy schedule didn't help either, let me demonstrate:

I drove to San Diego on a Friday morning, the day after the ship pulled in because Chris had duty. We stayed in a crappy hotel until Tuesday, went to a doctors appointment (where Chris got to see the baby!) and drove back to Phoenix. Hubby took 10 days of leave, drove back to San Diego on a monday afternoon, went to work on tuesday, and drove back to Phoenix that night. He took 4 days of special leave (for being sailor of the year!) and flew back to San Diego Saturday night to make it in time for duty the next morning. I stayed in Phoenix while Chris stayed on the ship for the next week for work, and then flew back to Phoenix friday night. THEN we left for San Diego at 2 am to make it in time for my ultrasound at 9 am. Yes, I have that sweet of a husband that he insisted on flying down and doing the driving for me since I get so uncomfortable doing the drive myself. We spent 4 days together before yet another underway, and I made the last trip back to Phoenix.

Whew, if you got through that, thanks for sticking around!

I can't explain what a blessing this baby is, and I can't wait to share our journey!

Pinterest Love

How Many of you are addicted to Pinterest? C'mon, I know you all are. Pinterest is awesome. It's like a mix between facebook, photobucket, and instragram, on steriods.



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When I first started using Pinterest, it was for wedding planning, and I found some amazing ideas. Plus, I could save all the ideas in one place, and instead of saving the pictures to a folder on my desktop, I can pin them to one folder so that I still have the source with the picture.



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Wedding is my most used board, but I also have future family, for the home, daily inspiration, my style, and more.



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If your interested in following me, don't be afraid to stop by! I'd love to see what your pinning as well!

Friday's Letters

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Dear Hubby of Mine, I wish I could be with you to take care of you when your sick and have a hurt shoulder. I know you wish you could be here to take care of me also. Dear Jack-Jack, we are going through another one of your anti-obey-mommy-spells and I hope it passes soon. Otherwise, grandma is going to make you stay locked up during the day. Dear Global Management Class, I wish you didn't have so much homework. I want to get back to my newest Jodi Picoult book, but since you want me to read so much of your textbook, I haven't been able to pick it up in a week. Dear Phoenix, thank you for transitioning me back into your hot weather by throwing in a couple days of not-melting temps. Dear Hubby/Sailor, ___ days until you come home!



Friday's letters

Dear Jack, I know you miss your daddy.. Everytime a car honks you run to the window like he is going to walk up the stairs, and you have done this for over a month now. I hope your play date with your girlfriend, Pookie, cheered you up a little. Dear husband, I miss you also. I hate that between your schedule getting busier and comms going down, I don't get emails from you as often. Dear self, don't worry yourself with things you cannot control. Your faith in God has gotten you this far, so keep it up. Dear ex-apartments, get ready to fight me over my security deposit, because I am going to win.

Wednesday wishes (45)

One. Pretty nails. I wish I had the patience and talent to paint my nails like this.

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Two. Iphone case. I love the vintage pattern of this one.

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Three. Donuts. Home-made, still warm, cinnamon surgar donuts. My mouth is watering

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This is my first wednesday wishes in a while, so glad to be back in the swing of things! Visit Brooke to share your own!

Its me, Ashley

Hi everyone!


It has been months since I have posted.. What can I say? I wasn't enjoying blogging, life got busy, and I put my blog aside.
So why I am  back? You can probably guess it.. I missed you guys! My husband left on deployment about a month ago, and it has been getting me down. I thought blogging might be a little bit of a mood lifter, so here I am!


In case your interested, heres a recap of what has been going on in my life:
I celebrated my 21st birthday!
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
I quit my job.
My husband left on deployment.. on valentines day.
I packed up all my belongings and moved back home.
and more : )


Life is never a dull moment in our household, and we are constantly getting used to new changes. Mind you, I don't handle change well. I am a planner to the T, so I constantly have to readjust myself to new situations. In the past few months, I have tried my best to be aware of all possibilities and be prepared for any situation, but as you can see, major changes are not uncommon for my husband and I! I'm excited to get back into the swing of things, and catch up with everyone else as well!

Little letters (2)

Dear husband, you have been home one day, and you already made the house a mess. Dear man who caused the black out in all of San Diego, you made thousands of people mad yesterday, including me. However, you did make me realize how spoiled I am, and for that, I'm thankful. Dear downstairs neighbors, I don't want to listen to your rapping all night again. Dear hubby, I love having you home, and I am so excited for our roadtrip!

I'm alive

I'm sorry. I'm a terrible blogger, but at least I admit it.

What can I say? Life got in the way.. (and I also became a poet in the mean time)

I have quite a few post idea's, including a green series, but I think it's only right to tell you about all the goodness thats been going on in my life the past month or so:

1. A couple months ago, I mentioned that I landed a job at a sub shop even though I had been putting off applying for so very long. Well, all my sandwich-making expertise finally paid off because I am now a supervisor!
2. Before I moved out here with my hubby, I was going to UofA for business. My first year didn't go so hot, so I decided to take a year off and find out what I really want to do before I waste any more money, thinking I would switch to culinary school. Well after a year of back and forth, I am finally totally confident in my decision! I am starting school at the end of this month to be a financial counselor, and thanks to National University, I will be receiving my bachelor's degree at the same time as I originally planned!
3. I also mentioned on my blog a few times about desperately needing a new car.. So when all the stars aligned- me finding a job, a big enough down payment saved up, the perfect car, surprisingly low financing.. We purchased this beauty for my hubby, which he occasionally shares with me : )

What has been going on in your life lately?

Recession blues

I'm going to say something that everyone is feeling... This economy sucks.

Our country is trying to crawl its way out of a recession, but we are just getting deeper.

The stock market fell hard, unemployment rates are still high, the housing market is still low.

I work in the food industry, and since the day the stock market fell almost 500 points, we have been slow. As in, a couple hundred dollars a day slow. Some people lost money when the market fell, but even more people are just plain scared, so they are holding on to their money a little bit tighter.

You know what I'm doing? I'm living my life without paying attention to how bad the recession is. I put a little extra money into savings, and then I make my normal every day purchases. Because I believe that the more people get scared, the less they are going to spend their money, and the worse they are going to make our economy without even realizing.

Don't think for a second that I am not affected by this recession. I am completely grateful that I have a duel-income household to pay my bills. I don't spend like crazy; in fact, I stick to a tight budget, work hard to pay off debts early, and help support my unemployed mother. My husband and I have been planning to buy a car for over a year now, and we finally have enough money saved up for a down payment. Just because the economy has taken a downturn doesn't mean that I am going to be too scared to make a big purchase.

I understand that everyone's situation is different.. All I ask is that you look at yourself, your income, and decide what you can do to help this economy, because we are all in it together.

Construction

If you have looked at my blog lately, you would see that my layout has changed.
I've been messing around with it.. I liked the old look, but I want something a little more simplistic.
So just be warned, I will probably continue to change things around until I get it just right!

Wishing time away

This post is dedicated to all the military SO's out there.

We all do it.
We make countdowns until the day our husband comes home.
We wish the days away until we are in his arms once again.

But have you ever thought that you will never get that time back?
I know we all wish our husbands were home and never had deployments, but the fact is that they leave.
A lot.
It hurts having them gone, but you have to make the most of what you have.

Sometimes I feel guilty when I have fun while my husband is out to sea. He works 13+ hours a day, every day, and doesn't have most of the luxuries that I have. I think its normal to feel this way; I want the best for my husband, and I want him to make the most of his life. So maybe he isn't doing what he wants at the exact moment that he is staring at the ship's chart, but I can guarantee that in 20 years, he is going to look back and say that serving is exactly what he wanted to do.

So use the time away to do things for yourself. Read that book that's been sitting on your bedside table the past few months, go out with the girls, or pour a drink and relax in a bubble bath.

So go ahead and miss your loved ones all you want, but please don't wish the time away.

About me

I added a new page to the top!
So if you want to find out more about me, check it out : )

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Little Letters (1)

Dear Jack, I love that you know your cute. Your newest move, where you stand at the doggy gate, spin on your back legs, all the while looking at me even when your head is upside down, is by far the cutest one. I hope you let me catch it on video on day. Dear Victoria's Secret, I have been trying to decide which top I want to order to match the really cute bottoms I found at Target. Please send me the top that would look the best on me. Dear Husband, I am so proud of you for working so hard to get your esws pin. You are such a hard worker, and I know it will eventually pay off for you.

P.S.
I hit 50 followers! Wooh!

Dreams

I'm stuck.
I don't know what I want to be when I'm older.
Rather, I don't know what to be, and I'm getting older.

Luckily, I have it narrowed down to two.
Unfortunately, they are in a very close race.
When I think I have a winner, another one pulls forward at the last minute.

And the nominees are:
A financial counselor or an event stylist.

I went to school for business management for a year. I only took two business classes in that time, so I didn't really get an idea of it. Between advanced classes, work, struggling to pay bills, Chris leaving for bootcamp, getting married, and the loss of my grandfather, I was beyond overwhelmed. I finished my first year thinking that I would either go to culinary school to become a pastry chef and cake decorator, or become a wedding planner.

When I started second guessing myself, I decided to take a year off. August is quickly approaching, and I am still unsure about what to do.

My left brain and right brain are fighting each other. Have you taken one of those tests before? I always score pretty even, with a few more points on my left brain. I am VERY logical, but I'm emotional and creative.
Financial counselor = logical.
Party stylist = creative.
See my dilemma?

I know I could be a good financial counselor. I have always been a budget-er and planner, so I know that I could help other people with that. But would it be creative enough for me?

It would be so fun to be a party stylist. But could I actually make a career out of pretty things like this?

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Can't I just do both?

Wednesday Wishes

One. Either this necklace or headband from barberryandlace on etsy. Can you tell that I love etsy yet?



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Two. New glasses. My dog chewed mine, and yes, I have bandaids on the ends. lol

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Three. Some quality time with my husband. He gets home from an underway tomorrow afternoon. I have him for the night, then he has duty on Friday, and I have to work on Saturday and Sunday.

Camping Trip Summer 2011

Go link up with Brooke!

My little letters

I have to mention a few people and do a little explaining here.

I follow a little blog called Adventures of Newlyweds, which I have mentioned on here before.
Once a week, she posts 'Friday's Letters.'
I always thought the idea was really cute, and wanted to copy her idea.
Then one day, while blog-stalking, I saw a link she posted to Today's Letters.
After visiting the blog and reading their headline, "There are many things that can change a life... a letter is one of them," I thought the idea was even cuter.

I love writing letters.
When I buy people cards, I look for ones that don't say much, so that I can fill them with what I want to say.
When I used to struggle with my feelings not being heard when I was younger, I would write a letter.
When Chris was in bootcamp, I HATED not being able to talk to him, but I loved that we were forced to write old fashioned love letters.

So I am inspired by the two awesome people I mentioned above to start my own letters. But since I have such a hectic schedule and a lack of time to blog now, I won't contain them to a single day. Instead I am going to title them "little letters" and write them when the time feels right.

So stay tuned!

Vitamin Water

We love vitamin water in our household.

So when it goes on sale, we stock up.

Example:

(Fyi, we still had about a full shelf full in one of the cabinets at this point)

Whats your favorite flavor?

The joys of a job... and the military

Life has been crazy.

When I first started looking for a job last year, I was looking for a part time job that would help pay for a new car. I now work 35 hours a week, and I contribute very much to our household.

With my extra income, Chris and I have paid off his loan, saved a couple thousand towards a new car and our wedding, made double payments on my ring, and got to go out on a couple adventures (like camping and the lipizzaner stallion show!)

Speaking of which, here a few pictures from the show!

My dream horse!

I'm really trying to make an effort to take more 'adventures' with my hubby. In between underways this summer, we plan to try a couple hikes and visit the San Diego Safari Park!

P.S.
Their are rumors going around my husband's ship that they will have to take over another ship's deployment, in addition to their already scheduled 'underway'. Please keep us in your prayers!

Nothing is set in stone

Military rule #3: Nothing is ever set in stone

Military rule #22: Dates always change

Military rule #47: Plans always have to be flexible

Chris and I first got married in a Chicago courthouse in March of 2010. We planned to have our ceremony with family, friends, and a white dress, in March of 2011. That changed to May of 2011. That changed to March of 2012. That changed to May of 2012. That changed to March of 2013. If that changes again, I am going to stomp my feet and cry like a little girl.

I want to be adventurous.

I've made a list of things I want to do in California.

Its possible that Chris and I will only be here for his first four years, so I want to make sure that we don't move and think, darn, I wish we had gone to ___."

So here is my top 5 list:

1. Disneyland
2. Ridgewood Ranch- Seabiscuit's final home
3. Universal Studio's
4. Seaworld
5. The Redwood Forest

Are there any other 'must see's' that you would recommend?

Btw, you should check out Adventure's of Newlyweds. Ashley (what a great name) and her husband move every three months for his work, and they def take advantage of the traveling. They seem like such a fun, adventurous couple! Reading about their adventures have inspired me to plan adventures for my hubby and I.

Milspouse Friday Fill-in

1. When you vacation what type of vacation do you like to take (beach, historic, adventurous, food oriented, etc.)? submitted by Megan Dub-Yuh

I  think I would have to say historic/ adventurous. Our vacactions are usually to visit family, but now that we have two incomes, I'm sure we will be able to put aside money for an 'us' vacation! I've been on two real vacations- one to Sedona with Chris and one to New Orleans with my sister. I'd say they were both pretty adventurous!

2. What is your best memory associated with a song (you know we all have tons!)? submitted by Ramblings of a Marine Wife
Dare for Distance by Never Shout Never.. When Chris and I first started dating, I asked him to take me to a concert, and Chris totally got hooked on the music. A week or two later, we spent the weekend in Sedona, and thats all we listened to on the way their. It was a really special trip for us, and one of the songs sounded exactly like our relationship, so it holds a special place in my heart.

3. If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with your time? submitted by Married to the Army
I'm sure most of us are going to answer this way, but I would travel the world with my hubby.

4. What is one thing about you that people do NOT typically notice at first that you wish they would? submitted by Our Motto is Patience
That I am actually really friendly and outgoing. My first impression on people is that I'm shy or a bitch.


5. …. submitted by The Three Turners: It’s a summer of sequels, and if you had to live in one of each of the following “worlds” (there are three total) which would you choose and why?
–X-Men: Be a Mutant, what would your power be? Haha Chris and I beat both of the Marvel ultimate alliance games together, and both times I played Deadpool, who is a super ninja with guns. lol
–Harry Potter: Be a Witch or Muggle? Unlike the general population, I'm not really into Harry Potter so I don't know...
–Twilight: Be a Vampire or Werewolf? A vampire. I want to sparkle in the sun.

Where did the weekend go?

Seriously, where is it?

I've been working 5-6 days a week lately, but luckily I usually get some part of the weekend off.

This week, I had Friday off. After working all week, partying with the in-laws all weekend, working another week, and getting sick, I was in much need of a day off. After waking up with Chris before he left for work, I slept in a little longer. When Chris got home, we went out to eat, shopping, and to the movies. We hadn't had a date night for a while, so it felt really good to spend time outside the house together.

Saturday, Chris' day off, I work 11-6.

Sunday, which was supposed to be my day off, Chris has duty. (I ended up covering an 8 hour shift for someone today).

Tomorrow, Chris gets off at 3, and I have to go in to work at 3. My first time scheduled closing, and its horrible timing. Not being able to see my husband for almost three days is a big deal to me. There are going to be times when Chris and I don't see each other for 6 months, so we like to cherish all the time we have together now.

I'm exhausted, so I am going to go take the dog out, and plop into bed. This week is only beginning... Good luck to everyone who is as ready for it to be over as I am.

Wednesday Wishes (27)

One. Either of these minty green dresses from the River of Romansk shop on etsy. Even though I have like 10 dresses, including about 4 that haven't been worn yet, I can't help but drool over these pretty dresses.

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Two.  My first paycheck. I hate starting a new job in the middle of a pay period and having to wait so long for your first paycheck!

Three. Rose bud ice cubes to put in champagne buckets at my wedding.

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Four. That you go link up at Bright Wishes! Happy Wednesday!

Working lady

I've been MIA in the bloggy world for more than a week!

Life has gotten pretty crazy lately. I started my job last week, and I'm finally getting used to working all day. I'm still trying to balance cleaning the house and working full time though. Although I have always given my mom credit for being a single, working mom, I have a newfound respect for her (and all you working ladies out there). I don't even have kids, just one messy husband, and I am having a hard time working and keeping the house clean!

Tomorrow my in-laws are coming in for the weekend. (Sorry, that means I will be MIA again!) There are going to be 6 adults, one child, and one dog in our one bedroom apartment this weekend. It's going to be very interesting!

Today is wednesday wishes, which I love to participate in, but I couldn't do two in a row without any real posts in between. Head over to Brooke's blog if you would like to participate!

Wednesday Wishes (25)

I wish for:

This "Peachy Keen Necklace." Soo cute.

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Red velvet cake balls. These babies have been on my recipe list for a few months, but I have yet to try them out.

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New tennis shoes. Right now I am wearing an old pair of choach shoes to work, and after only two days, my heels are killing me.

Link up with Brooke to share your wishes!

I got a job!

Woooooooooooooooh!

After 6 months of filling out applications, 5 interviews, and lots of frustration, I finally got a job!

Unfortunately, it is at another sub shop.. but I have so much experience that he hired me on the spot.
FYI, this is my third job at a deli, and all three times I have been hired on the spot (the first time I was hired as I turned in my application, and the other two after the interview). There have been plenty of jokes in my household (mostly from Chris) but its all in good fun. In today's economy, you gotta go with what you know... and unfortunately, I know subs.

Did I mention that my job is full time? This month marks a year since I have had a job, and although I am excited to go back to work, the idea of working 35 hours a week for the first time is a little daunting. I guess it will be less hours than going to school full time and working part time though.

All in all, I'm pretty darn excited. Chris and I decided that we are going to go car shopping in July! Well, I guess I better go get ready for my first day : )

Operation Petticoat

Yesterday, I went to a photo-session hosted by Operation Petticoat. They are an amazing group of women who have decided to get together and provide a free day of pampering and photos to military wives.

So yesterday morning, the hubby and I, (and Jack of course- he couldn't be left home alone all day!) hopped in the car and drove the 2+ hours to LA. At the salon, all the girls snacked and chit-chatted until it was their turn to be pampered. Chris, on the other hand, took the dog for a walk, skate boarded, and played monopoly on his ipod. He is such a good hubby.

The theme was 1950's pin up. Kat did our makeup, complete with falsh eyelashes, cheek bone hugging blush and bright red lipstick. Sandi curled our hair, and Connie styled it a la 1950's. Carrie, who owns her own vintage style shop, brought in a ton of clothes for us to choose from. My options were a bit limited since I am so small, but we found this adorable pink sheer nightie that was perfect. After all the primping, Jules took our photos as we pretended to be real pin ups.

I had a blast. I absolutely love the 1950's era- I have a folder on my computer full of inspiration, I sometimes rock the red lipstick and bandana in my hair, and my hubby even jokes with me about how I am an 'old lady' by which he means to say, and 'old soul' haha. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am so happy I had the chance to do it! We got a few prints to take home with us, and they will be posting more on facebook soon, so I will post some up when they do!

My First Car

Today I am linking up with Momma Kat and her writing workshop. Each week, she provides a list of writing prompts; you choose one, write about it, and link up!

I chose to write about my first (and only) car because it is honestly a pretty interesting story.
I think I need to provide some background info first.

Sometime before my freshman year, my grandpa gave my mom his old pick-up truck. About a month after getting my permit my sophomore year, my mom decided to trade in the truck for a new-er car, and goes to the dealership by herself. When my mom calls on her way home, she tells me she is driving a... MINI VAN. I thought she was joking- there was only two us (three with my grandpa) and this was the car I was going to pick up my friends in after I got my license? I almost cried when she pulled into the parking spot.

My senior year, things started to get a little more tough around the house, and eventually we lost the van. By this time, my friends affectionately called her 'Big Bessie.' She was the ultimate get-away-car during a light night t.p. session; I left the door open, and they all dove in as I drove by to pick them up (Don't tell my mom).

Right around the time that we lost the van, I got a second job. I had one day off a week, and I spent that time catching up on homework and sleep. We moved to a new house at the beginning of my senior year, which was 20 miles from school, and luckily a little closer to my jobs. I spent 2-3 hours on the bus a day.. depending on whether I had school and work, or worked both jobs. I know, taking a bus isn't that bad.. except when your 18 years old, taking AP classes in high school, working two jobs, and getting 4 hours of sleep a night. Sitting at the bus stop, I would envision my self in the cars driving by- to this day I am an expert at guessing what kind of car just by glancing at it.

After 5 months of taking the bus, my dad told me he found me a car- a 2001 hyundai sonata. I was so desperate at this point that I would have taken anything, but when I heard it was Pearl white and had a V6 engine, I was ecstatic.

There was only one problem- my dad, along with the car, was in New Mexico. I had no way, nor money, to get there.. except my favorite method of transportation, the bus. By some grace of God, my best friend offered to take the 8 hour bus ride in the middle of the night with me. It was a nightmare. We had to sit in the last row, where the seat backs were straight up, and no one, including the bus driver, spoke english. We missed our bus stop, because only one person got off, and the bus driver didn't understand our question, so my dad had to follow us to the next stop, right at the border of Mexico.

When I saw my car, I was in love. When I drove my car, I was head over heals. Although I wouldn't have considered her a sports car, she did have a V6, and she could go. So later that day, I sped back to AZ with my new car, my new TOM, and an old gun (a lovely semi-automatic 22 rifle) my dad promised me in the trunk. I was under the impression that my gun was supposed to my registered, so when I went through border patrol I almost had a heart attack until they waved us through, but I later found out I was fine.

I had pictures from the first day I drove my new car to school, but they are on an old computer. The only picture I have is this one, when my best friend and I were trying to fit her bike in my car so she could take it to college with her. We eventually took off the handle bars.

I have had a lot of interesting adventures with 'Pearl' (yes, I named my car) in the past three years. It is going to be hard to let her go, but with every mile she creeps to the 200,000 mark, I know I am getting closer to that day.

Do you have memories of your first car that will stay with you forever?