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8.25.2011

Helpful Hints for Husbands no. 2 - Seasonal Decorating


Oh, fall is in the air!  What?  No one has said that yet?  They have all the stuff out!  Well, I made up that it is fall at my house.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  (I think it's better than Christmas.. sometimes.)  But, yesterday, in the 95 degree heat of Colorado, I was hanging my wreaths and setting out pumpkins.  I had this frightening thought, "My husband will think I'm insane."  

So, HUSBANDS START READING HERE:  

It's close the to end of August, and you know your spouse is excited for the arrival of Fall {keep in mind this applies to any holiday where decor and displays are involved}.   You still have the sprinklers out for weekend water fun, and Fall is the last thing on your mind. The weather and the calendar say it is not time for Fall, but your spouse has decided differently.  Your house has now thrown-up pumpkins and leaves... in August.


You may want to roll your eyes, say she's too early... blah blah.  Keep those comments to yourself.  Maybe insert a line such as, "Lookin' good, honey!"  Please do not use any sarcasm when you say your comment.... we know better.  If you don't want to be in the middle of the seasonal decorating business, go to the candle store and pick up a Fall scent.  Generally, anything that reminds you of apple pies will do.  Your wife will see this as a contribution instead of avoidance in decorating.  Bonus points!  A situation that works for you and her.

8.24.2011

New Totes for Camp Moxie *Updated*

Yay!  I've finally had a chance to make some new tote bags for Camp Moxie!  For some reason, Etsy is down right now, but as soon as it's up again, these will be listed.  Here's a look.






















This tote is about 13.25" tall and 13" wide with handles measuring 5.25" from top of the bag to top of the handle.  It has a great, light floral fabric on the inside that has a vintage-y feel.  I've paired that with a sassy saying on the front, "Take Me Out", which I hand-painted using water-based screen printing ink.  The flower on the outside was handmade using the same fabric that lines the inside.





This is my favorite for fall!  It's a mini messenger bag with adjustable strap.  The flowers on the front are hand-rolled rosettes which are made from the same fabric lining the inside.  The upper strap ranges from about 11" to about 21" making the possibility of wearing positions versatile.  The bag itself is 14.5" wide, 8" tall, and comfortably stretches about 12" fat (from back to front as if you were filling it).  I also love that on each side of the bag there are pockets to keep keys or water bottles at easy access.  

Simple and awesome.  OK, so I may be biased because I made them, but I promise you will enjoy them as well.  A great gift for the stylish chica.. oh and Christmas is coming up!  If you want to call dibs on these before I list them on Etsy, you can e-mail me {ashleycrenshaw.blog@gmail.com}.  {You can always e-mail me if you see something you like!}  Also, e-mail me if you have any questions!  Thanks for browsing!   

8.23.2011

Free Advertising

A new column has been added.  Look left.  I guess you noticed a repetition of these babies:


I would much rather see your widgets/buttons/ads in place of that.  You can read all the details on the Sponsor Info page, but here's the jist of it.  You place my button on your blog, and I place your button on my blog.  So simple, yet so effective.  

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me (ashleycrenshaw.blog@gmail.com)!  I would love to hear from you.  Hope you decide to take advantage of me.... wait, that came out awkward. :S


8.22.2011

Playing in the Rain


I love when you can see the storms coming over the mountains.  The air gets chilly, and begins to smell fresh.  Ahhh!  I was trying to catch the lightening on camera, but it was being tricky.  Not an easy task on a cell phone.


Again, no luck.  Another storm picture.

BUT, when we got home, the fun began.


There was a downpour!  We also have a little guy that LOVES playing in the rain.  He's such a water baby!


Outside time lasted a good 20 minutes, the downpour was moving towards flooding level, and Dylan was chilled to the bone.  It was a perfect way for us to cool off in this summer heat.  Phew!  Who's ready for fall!?  Lol!

8.18.2011

Helpful Hints for Husbands- the Intro and Shopping Guide


There is no doubt that I love my husband.  He's a great guy.  There are just moments when I think, "He just doesn't get it."  He knows I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but bought a jewelry chest anyways.  I asked him to take off his work boots, but he leaves them in the middle of our freshly cleaned floor.  It's not that I totally get angry at him, but after awhile I'm mad at him for all the little things he just didn't 'get'.  This has inspired me to start Helpful Hints for Husbands.  A way for men to peer into the mysterious world of women, and come out with a valuable nugget of information.  You may also insert life-partner/boyfriend/girlfriend into the equation.  

Let's begin.

Husbands (or other), women have learned that you do not like to shop for us.  You may not even like shopping at all.  But, there are always anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays that send you to the store to pick out a gift for the wife.  You may be panicking, but I can give you a few clues.


1) Never, EVER, underestimate the value of hacking into or following your partner's pins on Pinterest.  Here are my Pinterest boards which include things such as products I love, food I want to eat, and clothes I want to wear.  Voila!  Ideas for dinner, and gifts.  Also, look for common themes.  Is there one certain color she posts often?  Are there lots of pictures that hint at relaxation?  Maybe she needs some time out with her friends?  Maybe she just wants to read a book in peace?  Pinterest can be a valuable tool, spouses!


2)  Have you checked out your local Groupons?  I bet you'll find a good deal on dinner, spa days, even an exciting outdoor adventure.  Oooooh!  I just caught a two-night retreat on sale!  Go out, get a room, just have some fun!


3)  Is there a date or experience you had as a couple that always keeps popping up?  Why not recreate that moment?  It may not be over-the-top, but there is something magical about revisiting special moments.  I think it would be magical to have the kiddo at a friend's house while husband and I order pizza and chill out in our jammies.  I think the alone time is so important.  Let her know you're there for her.

So, if you didn't read it all here's a recap.  1) Check out Pinterest.  2) Find a sweet spa deal on Groupon.  3)  Hire a sitter and have some grown-up time.  I got your back boys! 

8.17.2011

And there we were...


Well this guy had surgery last week.  Nothing major, but as surgeries go it comes with lots of care and cuddling.  There has been a lot going on and I can't wait to share.  I just have to get my thoughts and pictures organized.  In the meantime, grab a popsicle and enjoy the last bit of summer!

8.09.2011

Pete the Cat

{via Amazon}

Today was Storytime at the library.  This was the first time in TWO years of going to the library that Dylan actually agreed to go.  Thank goodness he did!  We got to read this cute little story called, "Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes" by Eric Litwin.  I love this book.  It's such a cute story, and Dylan was waaaay into it.  There's also this video of two adorable girls reading Pete.  Check it out!


8.08.2011

My Mirena Experience

{via}

This post is really personal, but I feel I need to say something about this matter.  A) Many things about me have been explained.  B) I may help someone reading this.  C) This is part of my journey, a major road in fact.  It is quite wordy, but is going to be soul-cleansing once it's out there.

February 2008, I made the decision to use Mirena, a form of birth control.  I'm usually not on top of taking a pill everyday, so I felt this was a better option for me.  My husband and I felt comfortable with waiting to expand our family.  I had read the information, online and in the pamphlet, numerous times.  The information given to me stated there would be minimal side effects, which only affected about 10% of Mirena users.

The first year, everything was terrific.  I became used feeling the device in my body, I was not having my period any longer, and I was pregnancy free.  Mirena had be won over.  I told everyone they should try it.  As the months passed, I began to feel tired and cloudy.  My husband had deployed to Iraq again, so I attributed this tiredness to being "a single parent" and stress related to deployments.  Then, I began noticing changes in my body and my emotions.  I felt bloated.  I couldn't sleep well.  I had been eating better and exercising, but not losing weight.  I was very irritable, depressive, snappy, basically unpleasant to be around.  I felt angry at my husband and child all the time.  I noticed dark, thick facial hair.  I had acne on my thighs... really?  This was too much.

The issues with my body I pushed to the side because my emotional well-being was the major issue.  After consulting with my doctor in October 2010, I was placed on Zoloft and Xanax.  The medication was to help manage my anxiety, stress, and depression.  I felt a weight start to lift off my shoulders.  My mood lightened, and I felt this was the answer.  I began working out again.  I was eating healthier.  I was working on Camp Moxie and the blog.  

In March of this year, my husband had returned from his most recent deployment.  I felt this would aid in the relief of my emotional warfare.  The problem became worse.  I was still battling all the issues with my body.  The medication was no longer curbing the darker emotions.  Something was really not right.

Last month, I had an awesome chat with a friend who's studying holistic medicine.  I told her what was going on with my body and it clicked that my problems must be from the Mirena, as I had stopped taking Zoloft and Xanax.  (These are pretty scary meds to be on.  Do read up on them if you are taking them.  Know what you're putting in your body!  Talk to your doctor.)  Sure enough, I looked up "side effects of Mirena", and up popped thousands of pages.  (This is the site I used in my decision making.)  I was feeling major side-effects.  All of which were described above were mentioned my lots of other women.  Before Mirena, I never had any of those issues.   Mirena had to come out.  

Last Thursday, Mirena came out.  Immediately, I felt the clouds back out of my brain.  I had my uterus back!!  I had my brain back!!  I cannot tell you how amazing this has been for me.  This explains why I haven't been able to focus on my blogging (which I love) and Camp Moxie (majorly in love with), and most importantly, I feel like I can be better for my family. 

 Now, I understand that some may not experience these symptoms.  Some may be rockin' with Mirena, but it affects everyone differently.  If you would like to talk about my experience with Mirena, please e-mail me.  This is a pretty sensitive subject for some, and if I can help you in any way, I'm here!  Thank you for letting me get this out.  Now, we're on to a magical new week!
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