Day 27 - The person who gave you your favorite memory

My favorite memory at the moment is the day we got married.

Here goes the cheesy part: Of course I am going to say my hubby since he is the one who asked me to marry him and who said I do with me.

However..

Heres the funny part: The second best part about the day was the fact that the judge could not get my name right... and who hasn't heard the name Ashley? Its only one of the most popular girl names of all time. She kept saying Ashley with different pronunciations of the A.
Later that day, I asked the hubby if I had said my name with a southern accent (sometimes I get a little country) and he said I must have.. Almost a year later, and we still joke about that day. This post would be so much better if you could actually hear it... Just picture someone saying Ashley with a hillbilly accent. hah.

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My name is Ashley.

I'm married to a sailor.

I can say that he is my high school sweetheart, since we met 2 weeks before graduation, and started dating ON graduation. Seven months into our relationship, he left for bootcamp, and 10 months in we got married.

We are from Phoenix, Arizona, and are currently stationed in San Diego, California. We have dealt with one 'underway' that was a couple months long, and have another one in the future. I'm still getting a hang of being a 'Navy Wife' but I think I'm doing alright! We also have this little guy right here:

Right now, I am enjoying my life as a homemaker and wife.. while actively trying to find a job and figure out what I want to go to school for. I attending UofA for my freshman year as a business major, and I'm not sure if I want to go back, or do something more interesting, like be a pasty chef! Speaking of which....



This wasn't bought at a store!

I love to bake. and decorate. I try to limit my baking to one time a week, so the hubby and I don't put on any newlywed weight.

Thats me, in a nutshell. Welcome to my blog!

btw, theres definately no blizzard out here in sunny SD.

Day 26 - Your nicknames

My most used nickname is Little Ashley. It started at my first job (when I was 15).. I worked at a sandwich shop with like 15 girls, and my boss would have a really hard time remembering names when someone first started, so he started calling me 'tiny tim.' When another Ashley started working there, Bill would get confused when someone was talking about us, so he started calling me 'Little Ashley' and other people picked it up also. Flash forward another job to my first job in college, where there was also another Ashley. I don't know how it started, but once again I became known as 'Little Ashley.'



I think this picture is fitting



The only other nicknames I have really had that stuck are 'a-dogg' from a friend in middle school (yes, we still start out conversations with hey a-dogg or k-dogg! lol) and 'assley' from my best friend in high school (and yes, she still calls me that... in a voice we like to call our forest gump accents). hah I'm not even going to try to explain those two.

Day 25- A hero who has let you down

I remember a few years ago, sitting in the high school group in my church and listening to our leader tell us, "Everyone in life will let you down, except God." I had a really hard time with this concept- what about the people who loved me? My friends and family? My future husband? How am I supposed to trust people if they are going to let me down?

I now know that this is completely true- everyone in my life, who has meant something to me, has let me down in some way.

So I guess I have to broaden this topic to both heros and heroines in my life.
I have always looked up to my mom for how strong, independent, and giving she was/is as a single mom. She has let me down.
I couldn't be happier with the man that I am going to spend the rest of my life with, and I admire my husband's kind heart. He has let me down.
My grandfather was the only father figure in my life. He taught me life lessons, and I honored him more than anything. Even he let me down.

If you let someone into your heart, they will eventually let you down. No one in this world is perfect; we all have our faults. What matters is how hard you try- to mend a mistake when you let someone down, and to except forgiveness when someone asks for it.

Day 24 - A picture of you

This is from my birthday weekend. We went out to eat at this amazing fancy italian restaurant downtown, and as we were walking back to the car passed this luxury/ historical car place. I fell in the love with this 1960 baby blue mustang.. So gorgeous!

Day 23 - A picture that you took

A picture that I took? hah. My husband is the photographer of the family, and a damn good one at that. So the only time I take pictures is when I yank the camera out of his hands to get a shot of him. Example:

My boys at Balboa Park!

Day 22 - A picture that makes you happy

Halloween 2009

Our first Halloween together Chris and I decided to switch roles- I was a sailor and he was a 'nerd.' Let's get something straight though, I am not a nerd, but Chris and I were from different crowds in high school- I was one of the 'smart kids' haha. He didn't let me live it down for a while, but I don't mind. Now he is proud that he has a smart wife : )

I loved our costumes, and we made them ourselves! I know its cliche, but all the sailor costumes are so cute, I will probably do the same thing another year!

Day 21 - Someone you judged by their first impression

I don't know if I necessarily 'judged' Maddisen by her first impression, but it definately made for a funny story. It occured during freshman year P.E. while playing dodgeball... and all I remember is her charging down the gym like a mean bull. Not that I was one of those shy-in-the-corner kids, but I am only 5ft tall and she was a bit intimidating! haha
My P.E. class got switched about half way through the semester, so we never got to know each other, until our junior year when we ended up sitting at the same table at lunch. I'm not sure how our friendship started, but we ended up having a lot of crazyy times together.

Day 20 - A talent/hobby of yours

My top three are horseback riding, reading, and baking.

I sold my horse before I moved out here to be with my sailor, but one day I will be able to get back into the saddle. Riding is in my blood.

I really love baking and decorating.

From top left, clockwise:
Classic red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
Pumpkin chocolate chip cupcake rats for Halloween.
Easter basket chocolate cupcakes with fondant eggs.
American Flag cupcakes.

Its been awhile

It is now 2011.

2010 was one crazy roller-coaster ride of a year.

January- Chris left for bootcamp. Theres no way to explain what I went through while he was gone.

February- My grandpa had heart surgery. At the end of the month, Chris graduated basic, and we got to spend an amazing weekend together. Chris asked me to marry him.

March- We made anouncements to our family, and on March 27th, Chris and I got married.

April- After three months in and out of hospitals, my grandfather passed away. Chris got emergency leave and made it just in time for the funeral.

May- I finished my freshman year of college, and Chris graduated A-school.

June- Chris went on his first deployment (technically an underway because it was a little over two months).

July- I packed up the uhaul truck and moved to Cali.

August- Chris came home, and we finally got to live together as a married couple.
November- I cooked my first thanksfiving dinner (it was a big deal to me!)
December- Chris and I flew home for Christmas and brought home a puppy with us.


Now its a new year, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings for us. There will definately be more downs (theres never too much time between deployments) but the ups will make it all worth it (being married to the love of my life).

Day 19 - A recipe

I looove baking and decorating, and now that I am a stay-at-home wife, I also really enjoy cooking. Lately, the hubby and I have been on a pumpkin kick: pumpkin latte from starbucks, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin egg nog, pumpkin candles, pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. Howeverrrr, we weren't pumpkin-ed out enough to not have pumpkin pie for thanksgiving! Plus, with it being my first time cooking thanksgiving dinner (which was pretty successful fyi) a pumpkin pie was a simple dessert. Heres the recipe I used:


1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

2.Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

I only baked mine for the first 15 minutes, and then 20 minutes instead of the 35-40, and it came out perfect! I made home made whip cream (it really does taste better than store bought!), and we ate the whole pie within 3 days. I did take the easy route and bought a pre-made pie crust, and the graham cracker one was an amazing pairing!

Heres a delicious and simple dinner recipe from the amazing Paula Deen: Chicken in wine sauce. My only tweek was next time I am going to use cream of chicken that is low in sodium because the dish was really salty, even for me even though I love salt.

One more thing.. Since I didn't take a picture of the pie I made for thanksgiving, heres a picture of a cake that I made for my hubby as a welcome home gift. It was white chocolate (his favorite) with raspberry filling, white chocolate buttercream, and decorated with fondant. Okay, I'm done bragging : )

The time of year to be thankful

Tomorrow is thanksgiving, and boy do I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Besides having a roof over my head and food on the table (or the bar since we haven't gotten a dining room table yet), I have a lot of amazing people in my life.

To my Mom, thank you for supporting me. Even though you felt like you were losing your little girl, you still knew that trying to stop me would only push me away. You even told me not to listen to anyone else, that I "had to learn things on my own," and that you were on my side even when no else was. It makes me so happy to know that you have accepted Chris into our family with open arms.

To Katey, thank you proving to me that friends do not always come and go. I know that your one of a kind, that our hugee differences force each other to look out from a different window, and that our LTF (long term friendship) will always be there.

To the Navy, thank you for turning my love from a boy into a man. Without you, we would have had to wait much longer to get married, and we wouldn't be where we are today. There are times when I despise you, but then I remember to count my blessings.

To my grandpa, thank you for being the strong fatherly figure in my life and for holding on until you could pass my hand to the other man in my life. I know you won't physically be able to walk me down the aisle, but you will be there in spirit. I will always be your little flower.

To my husband, thank you for the love that you show me. I am reminded everyday about why I fell in love with you and why I will always love you. You support me, listen to me, encourage me to come to you with my problems, make me laugh, make me feel loved. You are everything that I need.

To God, thank you for the life you have given me. I never expected to be where I am today, but you had your path set for me, and now I can see how perfect it is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 18 - Your favorite movie

In our relationship, my husband is the movie buff. He always quotes movies that I have never seen before, and then gets really surprised when he finds out I haven't seen it (even if we have talked about it before : ).. And even if I have seen the movie, I still don't remember the quote until he explains which part it was from. He remembers details like movie and song quotes, I remember details like dates etc. Oh, how opposites attract..
With that being said, my favorite movie changes all the time. Right now its Secretariat since I grew up around the track (and I also love the message of female empowerment, even though I am in now way a feminist lol).

Also, one of my all time favorite movies is Cry-Baby, one of Johnny Depp's first movies:

Day 17 - Your favorite book

Yay, a topic I can actually talk about!

My two favorite books of all time are:

The Pact by Jodi Picoult. This book is heartbreaking and eye-opening. Jodi Picoult is my absolute favorite author and I recommend any and all of her books!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Also a love story, but this one is a classic!

I love books. Right now, I'm reading The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts.

Day 15 - Cravings

A few weeks ago, I was watching Dr.Oz, and he did a mini newlywed game. He asked the husbands questions about what their wives craved when the were stressed, or about to start their cycle, etc. I started thinking about it.. and I can't think of anything that I crave when I'm going through different situations. When I'm stressed, I usually lose my appetite. And when I'm about to start my cycle, I never know what I'm going to get. lol. However, I crave chocolate and dessert anytime, and all the time. I am a pretty health conscious eater, but thats my one bad habit. Oh, and bread, I loveee french bread. What do you crave?

Day 14 - Someone you’ve drifted away from

I've drifted away from a lot of people since high school and also since moving away.
After high school, I went to University of Arizona (for only a year) while a majority of my friends went to NAU and ASU. Basically, I lost touch with most of my group of friends even though we had plenty of ways to keep in touch... Only getting together for a party every once in while when we were all home for breaks.
Luckily, my two best friends also went to UofA, one of them even living in my dorms. All three of us were extremely busy, but we managed to stay close. Today, I really only keep in touch with one of them, and I consider her the best friend I have ever had.
It was really hard for me as I saw my friends slipping away, but now I accept the fact that our lives went in different directions. As cheesy as it is, I guess I really did find out who my true friends were!

Day 13- A first

Instead of talking about a first I had in the past, I'm going to talk about a first thats going to happen in about 2 weeks: I'm going to make my first thanksgiving dinner.
I would consider myself a decent cook.. I cook dinner almost every night, and 80% of the time its either home-made or semi home-made. Chris always says tells me that I'm the best cook, but he is my husband so I think he is a little biased. Luckily, its just going to be us two this thanksgiving, so I don't have to worry about impressing anyone else!
Did I mention that I'm going all out for thanksgiving? Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, and pumpkin pie. Did I forget anything?

Day 12 - Something that makes you cry

I really can't pinpoint anything specific that makes me cry- I have a bit of a temper, but I'm also very sensitive. I guess you never know what your going to get!

When the hubby is away, the waterworks gets even worse- military commercials, love stories, letters, emails, songs!

Day 11- Something that makes you feel better

This is a pretty easy one, and I bet you know my answer already.
My hubby, duh!
Chris is pretty amazing at knowing what I need when I'm upset- He knows whether I need to talk, to be hugged, and he is even learning about when I need to be left alone for a little while. He is such a sweetie and has to fix everything and anything! (unless its something around the house, like our doorknob.)
I'm also a hugeeee chocolate addict. I eat it when I'm happy and sad though lol
Short story- The night before Chris left for bootcamp, we stopped at a gas station to get energy drinks, and Chris wanted a candy bar 'since it would be his last one for two months.' Since then, we have made it a tradition to eat a candy bar the night before he goes underway. I know its a little dorky, but its one of those things that make it a little easier to get ready to say goodbye!

Day 10- Something that upsets you

As I was sitting here trying to think of what to write about, this commercial that came on while my hubby and I were watching tv popped in my head.
It was a commercial for the ASPCA, and they showed animals (looking straight at the camera with very sad eyes) and gave a little description about the abuse they had received. Before it came on, the hubby and I were laughing and talking, but then we went silent for the long commercial.. It was heartbreaking! We were already talking about which charity to donate to this year, so it kind of put it in stone that this year we would do an animal organization.
I love animals. I was the little girl who tried to rescue all of the baby birds and take in all the stray dogs. In fact, I still am that person. The last incident happened when Chris was home on leave after a-school.. We were driving to his mom's house when I saw a little dog (looked kind of like a large chihauhua lol) running down the street, and after a bit of coaxing, we had her in the car. Even though I was driving, I insisted on holding her since she was scared, and after a few minutes, she suddenly stopped shaking, and just relaxed in my arms. We walked around the neighborhood for a good 20 minutes (with her still completely relaxed in my arms) talking to neighbors, and trying to find her home. Finally we figured out whose dog it was and left it with their neighbor.