Summer 2009 Recap

It's clearly Fall now. Very clearly. Overnight we plunged headlong into coat-wearing weather, and, dude, I don't know where my coat is. I'm ushering in the advent of a new season, with my new (and muuuuuuch talked about - sorry about that) haircut.



Don't judge this picture - it's not styled, and I was ready to go to bed. But I figured out that if I DON'T take any time to do anything with it, then I can easily end up looking like Mary Martin in Peter Pan



Now that fall is here, I'm like, "Whoa. Where did summer go? What did I do with it?"
Let's recap:

- I got married. Though, technically not in the summer (May 30th), but it was close enough.

- I changed my name. This originally caused a lot of internal turmoil, but I think I'm OK now, as long as I remember to sign my new name.

- I started to exercise...then promptly stopped. It lasted all of 5 days. Whatever. Don't look at me like that. I had good intentions!

- I went on more outings this summer than the last two combined
>> Arlington Racetrack
>> Museum of Science and Industry, and I got to see the Harry Potter exhibit and movie.
>> Bristol Renaissance Fair
>> camping at Starved Rock
>> Galena (twice!)
>> volunteered at the Sunset Festival
I'm pretty proud that I managed to get out and interact with the world, like a person.

- We put an offer on a house, they accepted it, and we gracefully (ha. ha.) dealt with all the drama that's gone along with it. It's going to pay off in about a week and a half (excuse me while I lose my shit: OMGWTFSqueeee...I really need to get out of my parents')

- Made some serious progress on my 101 things in 1001 days list. I've got 7 things in progress and 8 completed. Nice job.

- I totally got a promotion. And a raise. And an awesome boss. My commute is still gross, but my circumstances are a bajillion times better.

- I went to Atlanta, GA for the first time (for business), and I got to see Olympic Park. While I was there I also got to have dinner with one of my nearest and dearest. It was an awesome coincidence that he was passing through Atlanta on his way to Army Ranger School.

It's been a good summer, a productive summer, and a summer for hardcore transitions. We've really managed to pack it in, which is pretty cool. I'm really glad I put all my main summer activities into this one post - so I can see them all. It was nice to reflect on what I've been up to and figure out where the last 4 months went.

What did you do this summer??

New hair, new outlook

A couple exciting things for the day.

If you're curious our wedding pictures are up. I posed the link on twitter, but I'll post it here too.

I found a new layout via shabbyblogs.com. They're free, and I'm not much for designing my own nonsense yet.

I'm making the plunge tonight - I've scheduled a haircut for tonight at 6pm. Chopping it all off. Though I keep waffling back and forth about whether I really want to do it. By 3pm today, I'll be convinced because my longish hair will have annoyed me.

BelleRenee's most recent post has me thinking about what I really want to do with my life. We close on the house on the 8th, and once we're in the house, it's time for me to start buckling down and making some changes, and the biggest change is figuring out a career, or a passion, or a degree - and figuring out how to make that happen.

Not much to report, and I've got even less time to report it in.

Saturday Morning

Good morning!

1) THANKS for not thinking I'm a creeper.

2) Time for some pictures. Maddie on Saturday morning. She's afraid of the furnace repair man who has been here since 9am. Mike has just renamed her Ming Su.


3) Here's Mike. He came home at 6am from playing video games. He's not really sleeping, he's rambling incoherent nonsense and has been since he woke up 15 minutes ago.

A Narcissistic "about me" post - BUT I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOU!

So, I've been thinking about you guys a lot lately. Is that weird?
I mean, I have a long drive home, and plenty of time to think about random nonsense, and blogging usually takes up much of my thinking.

I kind of wonder what your life is like.
I mean, I know bits and pieces, a lot of bits and pieces. But I feel like I don't know much about your day-to-day, or mundane details. Like what do you like to do on a weekend? What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you have siblings? How did you like college? I mean, hook me up with a mini (or not so mini) biography.

Again...is it weird that I want to know this? The internet kind of blurs the line between what is considered creepy and what is totally acceptable. I think it would be weird if I walked up to one of my coworkers (that I wasn't super close with) and was like "What's your life like?" But here, I may get an awesome response. I'll take my chances.

I'll tell you about me. It's probably lame, but whateves. Everyone likes to write about themselves - its the spirit of blogging! If you feel so inclined, please write a similar post, and leave a link to it in the comments. I feel like this could be a getting-to-know-you sort of situation. Share as much, or as little as you'd like. Here we go...

My name is Ashley, I am 24, a Gemini. I graduated from college in 2007 with a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I only attended UIUC for 2 years because prior to that I started off at the University of Iowa, but left at the end of my first semester because I was too unhappy to pay the exorbitant out of state tuition. I finished my general education requirements at McHenry County College.

I met Mike (husband) when I was 15. He was dating my best friend at the time. When we were 17 they broke up, and Mike and I started hanging out. There's a whole sordid story that I'll have to share another time, but when Mike and I started dating, we were no longer best friends.

Mike and I broke up when we were 19, and at two different colleges. We stayed "friends", I use quotes because I was clearly still in love with him, but totally in denial about it. During this time, I rekindled my friendship with his ex girlfriend/my best friend, and we ended up being roomates at UIUC our senior year and it was awesome.

Mike and I got back together when we were 21, in our senior year of college, and from the day we got back together we knew we were going to get married...granted, I thought I was going to marry him from the time I was 17. His ex girlfriend/my best friend (who shall henceforth be referred to by name: Rache) stood up in our wedding, and is currently a great friend to both of us.

Mike and I briefly lived in Des Moines, Iowa while he finished his last semester of school. I worked at a small internet start up, and for the entire time I lived there I was depressed and mean and heinous...and I cried a lot. It was the first time we lived together and it is a wonder Mike didn't dump my ass. At this point I had graduated college, had no idea what I wanted to do, moved to a state where I didn't know anyone, worked at a crappy job and I was misssssserable. Mike has the patience of a saint.

The house in which our first apartment was located (Des Moines, IA)

While we lived in Iowa we adopted our little dog Maddie from a shelter. We were at the shelter for a good 45 minutes before we even noticed her, and we went there not really intending to walk out with a dog, but there she was. She was sick with kennel cough, clearly underweight and shaking like a leaf. As soon as we took her into the little visiting room she ran back and forth between us, so excited and peeing, and we were sold. I think it was the pee that sealed the deal.

Little Dog Maddie. They day we brought her home

We moved back to Illinois and I started working at my current job at a publishing company just outside of Chicago. We're the number one publisher of children's sound books, and I promise, if you have a little kid, or know one, you've seen the books. I was recently promoted and I now work very closely with our children's line. I really don't mind the job, and I love my coworkers, but the commute kills me. I leave my house at 6am to arrive at 7:30am, and in the afternoons I leave at 4pm to get home at 5:30 - 6pm. It's kind of awful.

(omg. this is insanely boring. If you're still reading, awesome. But I think I've reached a point where I'm just writing to write. A good exercise, no?)

My dearest ambition is to be an Academic Advisor or a HS Guidance Counselor, though I realize I have to go back to school to do that. It's something I've been looking into recently, because I would like to have a plan. And soon. I've looked into teaching (I've always loved working with kids), but I can't financially justify going back to school and then student teaching (working full time, for free, while paying tuition. No, thank you), when we're on the cusp of taking on a mortgage.

Mike and I will close on our first house on Oct. 8th. It's a cute little townhouse in my parents' neighborhood. We'll be neighbors, which is a little weird, but I grew up in the neighborhood - I know it is safe, and clean and everyone is nice. We've been living with my parents in my childhood bedroom, and it's been reallllly cramped.

Our soon-to-be first house

The plan is that we're going to make it an awesome little house, do a lot of affordable improvements (and blog about them). We want to refinished furniture, and paint and basically start our married life off, because it feels like it's been on hold since we've gotten back from the honeymoon (remember, we've been living with my parents...) We've got huge plans to launch the etsy shop, get in shape, cook, garden, craft, write, read.

We want to have kids in the next 5 years. At first it was the next 8 years, now it's 5, but recently we've been talking about 3. We are very quickly whittling the number down. We're hoping to have two, and we've already talked about names. Haha.

Truthfully, we mostly have to wait because of our financial situation. We're buying this house, and we're going to be close to broke - so we need to rebuild our savings and make sure that we will be able to survive on one income, because both Mike and I feel that it is important that I stay home once we have kids. And currently, that makes me do backflips in excitement, because on principle, I don't really like working. I prefer to clean, cook, pay bills, run errands, and duh, take care of kids. Do most people prefer that? I don't really know.

I'm a hardcore homebody. I love blankets and pajamas and watching a movie. That's my favorite way to spend an evening. I also love to go to bed. And sleep. I love to sleep. Though, it does cause me a little anxiety because I feel infinitely boring. I feel like I SHOULD want to do other things, and enjoy nightlife, but I just don't. I like my house, and my bed.

Mike and I are still friends with our friends from high school. Our entire bridal party was made up of the people we grew up with. They are fabulous, and we've managed to maintain very strong bonds with all of them for almost 10 years, and they are totally understanding when I blow them off to sleep.

Our siblings and friends from high school (click to enlarge, if you are so inclined)

(If you're still reading...i kind of love you. But please. Don't feel obligated, this has become quite the tome.)

Our etsy shop is in hiatus. We've been brainstorming and figuring out what we want to sell, and how we want to go about it. We keep getting more and more excited about it. We hope it is somewhat successful, because we both love to do artsy craftsy things, and would love to have a really cool reason to do them.

Mike is a graphic designer by education and trade. He looooooves video games, and truthfully him playing them is one of our biggest battles. Partially because he's fanatical and can go a little overboard (though not recently!), and partially because I am unreasonable and needy. Someday we'll reach a truce. Someday...
He's currently running the show with the acquisition of the house, making the phone calls setting up appointments - While I take care of things on the back end, finances, budgeting, paperwork. We have both taken on the roles that we prefer, and it's going swimmingly.
Michael is a daydreamer and has an insane imagination. I am much more pragmatic and in the here-and-now. He is the art to my science and I am the method to his madness.

I am lazy, and usually feel very awkward. I obsess over cutting my hair more than a healthy person should. I've recently discovered a love of artichokes, and I. Love. TV. but it is a total time-suck. I complain more than necessary, while I should be counting my blessings (a house, a husband, a loving family, non-insane in-laws, my health, a job) instead. But I've found that you make more friends commiserating about things than you do advertising how awesome your life is. The longest love affair of my life has been with Harry Potter, and I still feel very passionate about him to this day. I think doing dishes by hand is relaxing, and I find solace in a clean living space. I am obsessed with Food Porn, and I collect recipes that I will someday make. I am fascinated by pin-up culture, but am an outside observer. I think tattoos are beautiful and I have 4, while Mike has 5, and intends to eventually have a half - 3/4 sleeve.

Beyond that...I've got nothing. That's a lie there's plenty more - but I think this has gotten insane enough.

Remember, if you feel so inclined, please write a similar post, and leave a link to it in the comments. I feel like this could be a getting-to-know-you sort of situation. Share as much, or as little as you'd like.

78. Read 100 books. (1 - 9/100)

The Sookie Sackhouse Series
Charlaine Harris - Dead Until Dawn
Charlaine Harris - Living Dead in Dallas
Charlaine Harris - Club Dead
Charlaine Harris - Dead to the World
Charlaine Harris - Dead as a Doornail
Charlaine Harris - Definitely Dead
Charlaine Harris - All Together Dead
Charlaine Harris - From Dead To Worse
Charlaine Harris - Dead and Gone - still in hardcover

Part of my 101 in 1001 list

So far I've recommended this series to everyone I know. And I helps that everyone I know already loves watching TrueBlood.

But here's the thing - most people (TrueBlood devotees) are hesitant to read these because they are afraid it will spoil the show. And yes, while certain plot points will be given away (for example, the murderer from the end of Season 1), there are PLENTY MORE that are totally different.

For example, Lafayette, Jason, Tara all have VERY different roles in the books. There's been speculation whether the producers and directors of TrueBlood will use one of the BIGGEST PLOT POINTS from the series- so, even though I've read all the books, I really don't know how the TV series will play out.

That said - I loved this whole series. They were easy, summer reads.

One thing you should know - There's a short story that needs to be read before you start Definitely Dead, called One Word Answer. Thanks to some sleuthing from TaraSG, I learned that Charlaine Harris writes Sookie short stories.

But seriously. Read it. Starting with Dead until Dawn

Coming soon.

Mike made this in order to advertise.
Where? and to whom? Not sure yet.

But I <3 it.

I love...

Since I'm in a hideous mood - seriously, I almost started crying on my way to work, and I can't pinpoint a reason why - I'm going to tell you what makes me happy. Are you ready? Get AMPED!

1) Senseo Coffee Makers.
I'm not a coffee snob, by any means, so I'm not sure if the coffee is even quality, but I think it is delicious. It makes one cup at a time, and does so very quickly. I would cry without it, and I probably would have died in a fiery car accident because I would have fallen asleep behind the wheel. (Oh man, I'm getting negative.) For realzies - I love Senseo

2) Target's clothing.
I love cotton, solid color tshirts. More than anything. Especially in black.

3) Garage sales.
Where else can I get this bookshelf for $35!?

(originally from Ikea for $160)

4) Echo Home Inspection
They wrapped up the inspection on our house (Thank God) and everything is A-OK. Yay. They were so nice, and made a huge effort to accommodate our messed up water situation. (Thanks for that, bank. Assholes)

5) TaraSG
Dude! Thanks for the award!


In keeping with the award here are 10 things about me (I didn't use the premade list - I needed a distraction, so I made up 10)
1. I don't like sunshine. I'm suuuuper pale, and 10 minutes in the sun is enough to burn. I prefer overcast and stormy days
2. My dearest ambition is to be a respected member of my community - good mom, cool wife, hard worker, volunteer, etc etc.
3. I wish I remembered more of our wedding. It was a huge blur, but I know I had an awesome time.
4. I love celebrity gossip. It's a horrible, dirty habit - but i don't caaaare. It's deliciously distracting.
5. Boy howdy, I've learned lately that I don't like being wrong, and I don't like being called out. Thanks, marriage, for bringing that to my attention.
6. Mike and I have a grand plan to start this amazing life once we move. Exercise, eating right, saving money, creating stuff for our etsy shop, using the library.
7. I love hydrangeas, lilacs, alstroemeria, and spider mums

8. Mike
When I'm sad, he's sad. He tries his best to make me feel better, but sometimes a girl's gotta wallow

(Mike and the flower girl)

9. My google reader has over 1000+ unread items this very minute. I don't think I will ever catch up, but trying to gives me something to do.
10. Blogging has saved my sanity.

And now I bestow this to you melina, katrina kay, BinB, Dharma Drama, and Callina

EDIT - Add Kolehart. Fill this out, dude.

98. Quit smoking...forever. And ever

I've added 98. Quit smoking...forever. And ever to my list, and as of yesterday this goal is in progress.

(image from film noir photos)

Here's the thing...I've only ever considered myself a "smoker" for like 6 months when I was 19/20. And up until about a month ago, I didn't smoke for over four months.

I smoke rarely - usually when a friend offers, or I'm out drinking. Until recently, I hadn't bought a pack in ages. But I still will every-so-often have a cigarette. And it never ends well.

I like the act of smoking, the social aspect, something to do with your hands, but after I finish it, I immediately regret it. My fingers and hands smell, my mouth tastes gross, and worst of all I have a headache. Without fail.

So...Duh, I need to make sure I cut this out forever.
No, one cigarette per month isn't going to kill me, but it is going to give me a headache.

Yesterday morning, I had my last cigarette on my way to work. I haven't really wanted one, just a little. I think I've just wanted the break from work. But most importantly, I turned down the offer to have one.

I've tried to make the ruling that I was giving up cigarettes FOREVER before, but time always passes and I managed to talk myself into having just one.

(image from Bleu Bird Vintage - what a badass blog!)

But here's the thing! I have this wonderful list that gives me willpower! and self control! Or at least that's what I'm hoping it will do once I start the harder goals (specifically those that are exercise oriented).

This thing keeps me accountable, especially since I know you are watching, Internet friends.

My 101 in 1001 Progress

So, I've accomplished bunch of stuff on my 101 in 1001 list, but I haven't really blogged about it.

Here's what's DONE:
16. Invest in a really good camera.
43. Go to the Bristol Renaissance Fair
79. Get a library card and use it.
47. Go to an event at the Arlington Racetrack
57. Pay off my credit card

Here's what's IN PROGRESS:
18. Volunteer 5 times (1/5)
78. Read 100 books (8/100)
57. Do not exceed $1000 in credit card charges

I've got all these things listed in my Blogger Drafts - but I haven't gotten time to actually write a blog about them. Mainly because I write quick blogs when I'm not at home, and I don't have access to my pictures. And I want to make sure to include pictures.

So, here they are. What I've done so far. I'll get around to telling y'all about it soon, and it will be great. Mark my words.

And by great - I mean mediocre at best, and a decent waste of 5 minutes of your time.

Unrelated: I've been having WEIRD ASS dreams lately. And I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I've been watching South Park before I go to sleep. You see, Mike and I have decided to watch South Park from the beginning - and it's been AWESOME. I'm so in love with that show. So crude, but so clever. Ah, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, I love you.

One more thing: ahlemon, if you're reading this, thanks for the comment! I couldn't access your profile to thank you on your blog/website.

I suck at exercising restraint

So I totally know that I said that getting a haircut was in the far off distance, but that was before I picked up the most recent issue of Real Simple, and they had THIS haircut in there:

(image from Real Simple)

Strike me where I stand, because that is the most fabulous hairstyle I've ever encountered in my short life.

They even included three ways to wear it!

(image from Real Simple)

How can I even pretend to resist that?
I need to quit lamenting my hair (but, Boy Howdy - it looks ridiculous today), but this cut makes me want to change my life. It makes me want to run a marathon, study philosophy, stop swearing, save the rainforest, and wear fancy shoes.

On a totally unrelated note: How about Kayne West last night? Way to act really classy.
Jumping on stage, grabbing the microphine and stealing glory from Taylor Swift, a 19 year old, first time VMA winner. Awesome.

A bunch of nonsense

A bunch of random nonsense.

1) I'm going to the library this weekend! I haven't been to a public library in yeeeeeears. I visited the university library when I was at U of I.
I. Am. So. Pumped.

It's also been suggested that I check out some audio books. I'm not sure how I'll do with these. I'm not an audio learner, so I don't think I'll retain the information/story. But I might as well TRY!

2) House Update: Ugh. We had our inspection last night, after being assured in writing that all the utilities were turned on. Well, we arrive and the water is still not on. The water. We've done this song and dance before. The lawyer is pissed. Our realtor is pissed. Everyone's pissed.

On the bright side (yes, there IS a bright side!), everything else is fine. Just normal wear and tear. So, that's a huge sigh of relief. Plus, if the water is broken, or in any way not functional, the bank will fix it because that makes a house unliveable.

3) Thank you guys so much for the kickass comments about a potential haircut. But, I've come to a realization...are you ready?
I've got to suck it up for a little while. I NEED to grow my hair out...just to try it. Otherwise, I'll always be curious and I'll continue with this grow-it-long-then-cut-it-short cycle forever. And that's annoying.

Mike ALSO wants to try longer hair, and his hair grows slowly, so we're going to try to grow our hair together.

AND...if those two things don't work, I've put a ban on extreme haircuts until I weigh within 10lbs of my driver's license weight, or I run an entire 10K. HA. I'll never do that. My hair will grow forever!!

4) Funny story. I love Burger King's breakfast. I love it so much, that for almost an ENTIRE winter, I had it everyday. A Ham Omelet Sandwich and a medium coffee (2 Splendas and 1 cream). It got so bad that the girl who worked the drive-thru in the mornings recognized me. That was my turning point. When the BK employee chats with you about life, then it's got to stop. So I stopped going. It was a struggle, but I overcame.


Well, I went there yesterday, exercised some self control and ONLY got a medium coffee (3 Splendas, 2 cream - because they INCREASED THE SIZE. A medium is HUGE now). But the same drive-thru girl was there, and she recognized me. After I finished hanging my head in shame, she asked me if I was a teacher. And since I was embarrassed and thrown off, and since I'm ridiculously awkward in general, I said yes.

Why? Well, because of all the aforementioned reasons - I was embarrassed and thrown off, and since I'm ridiculously awkward in general. I'm definitely no teacher - though it is my dearest ambition.

I decided this was a sign. The Burger King girl has told me what I already know, I need to be a teacher.
Not the best story, but hey, what can you do?

5) I was driving the other day, reminiscing about my earlier internet days, and I came to this awe-inspiring realization at how much i love the internet.

That's it.

Thankful

I am thankful...
1) For Little Dog Maddie. She provides us with endless entertainment, and unconditional love. Even though she does take up more than her fair share of the bed.

2) That we are buying a house 100% on our own. No financial help from anyone, our parents aren't guiding the process. We're buying a house like adults do - with a Realtor, a lawyer, and a broker.

3) That Mike and I have the same friends, and have had the same friends since we were 15 (or younger). We grew up together...with them. It makes life infinitely easier, and so much more comfortable.

4) For my parents not being furious with us for squatting in their house. Their generosity has been INSANE, and we wouldn't be able to buy the house without it.

5) That it is almost Friday. The weekend is screaming my name.

6) For my job. It pays the bills, and my coworkers are great. I am gainfully employed in a down economy, so I can't get more thankful than that.

7) That Mike is excited to have kids. Not at this very moment, but the thought of having our own babeh is exciting. He's as thrilled as I am, and we are on the same page.

1. Start an etsy shop.

Well!
I'm IN PROGRESS with #1 on my 101 in 1001 list, and I am thrilled about it.

Last night Mike and I set up and designed a banner for our Etsy shop.

We've always been excited about the name Wolv's Porridge (we want to run the shop together), and talked about a banner/logo, but never settled on anything. Then last night, at Cheesecake Factory, we started scribbling on napkins, and came up with the concept for the hooded Wolf.

And I'm in love with it.
No...there's nothing for sale, and nothing listed. But there will be. OH THERE WILL BE!
Soon. We hope.

Happy Labor Day!

Haircut?

I do this every. single. year.
When my hair gets to a ponytail-able length, I get antsy to cut it.

Last October I cut it like this:


Before that, it looked like this:


Personally I think I look like this when my hair is long:


But the thing is, it's never been longer than the 2nd picture - so I'm curious about how it would be to have loooong floooowing hair.
How curious? Obviously not curious enough. I wasn't curious enough to grow it out for the wedding...so why bother now?

In reality - as long as I can pull it back, I will. My hair is SUPER thick and takes forever to blow dry. So styling it in the morning isn't a realistic option (I already get up at 5am-ish). And to be perfectly honest, I'm weird about my hair, and if it doesn't look nice, then I feel like a total schlub.

I think I'm trying to talk myself into it.
To talk myself into this haircut:

I've always love this haircut. I've never had super-super short hair.
Maybe I want a new haircut to go with my new house, new last name and new job?
I'll wear lots of earrings!

Any thoughts? What looks better? I can't judge for myself.

55. Legally change my name.

From my 101 Things in 1001 Days list.

First and foremost, I had to obtain a certified copy of my marriage license. In my county, they DO NOT mail you a copy of your license after you have submitted it (after the wedding) and it has been processed. I had to either request it by mail, or go in person - I went in person. The process was quick and painless, actually.
I requested and purchased 5, but I definitely didn't need them. 1 or 2 would have been plenty.

After that, I headed to the Social Security Office with my old card, and my marriage certificate. They only took a copy of my license, asked a bunch of identification questions, told me my new card would arrive shortly, and sent me on my merry way.

Finally, I headed to the DMV, where I failed to realize they would take my picture. It was a very hot day, and I hadn't showered, and all my hair was pulled back. I was sweaty, and I looked sick and bald.

Beyond that, I contacted my credit card company, and my insurance company. I think the only thing that still has my maiden name is my car title - but I'll investigate that when I change my address (because I think you have to change those things at the DMV).

The biggest hassle was at the bank where I had to bring things home for Mike to sign, and show identification with my maiden name on it.

Overall - not bad. The people I worked with had done this many times before, and you could tell. They were efficient, and thorough. I thought it was going to be horrible, but it wasn't...at all.

What I AM still confused about are our taxes. From what I've gathered in my research is that we just FILE jointly when we do file for 2009. But don't we have to change my marital status on our W-4s? I asked my HR lady and she told me to talk to my tax preparer? Does anyone have any insight into this? Do we alter our W-4s at the beginning of 2010?